G’Day Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon from Oxford Landing

Have you heard of the Oxford Landing winery in Australia?  I did review their Pinot Grigio and Syrah earlier this summer.

The winery posed this question and answer about themselves: What do you get when you combine a Mediterranean climate, plenty of sunshine, fertile red soil, the longest single river in Australia, and 300 hectares of vines surrounded by natural vegetation? Prime grape growing conditions. The Riverland is an arid part of the world but our vines and the surrounding native vegetation receive a lot of TLC (tender loving care).

Beyond caring for their vines they also make all our wines to be vegan-friendly and have been since 2008. Zero animal products (including fish, meat, eggs, or dairy) have been used in the production of their wines for more than 12 years. 

I received a bottle of their 2020 Chardonnay and their 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon to taste and review for you.  Enjoy.

My Tasting Notes

Oxford Landing Chardonnay, South Australia, 2020 (BC $15.95 at Everything Wine)

Appearance: A medium intensity bright lemon green colour.
Nose: A medium-plus intensity nose with a mix of lemon, peaches, and other stonefruits, plus toasty oak and grape stem aromas. Gets a honeyed tone with air.  The aromas become more pronounced with decanting, with more fruit and less toast and grape stem.
Palate: Very slightly off-dry, but quite round with a waxy+silky mouthfeel. Bright acidity and flavours.  A mix of stone fruits, in particular peach, and lemon flavour, with a hint of oak and vanilla with air. These flavours persist with decanting, but the grape stem flavour diminishes (which is ok for me), and you get some melon.
Finish: A medium-plus length with lingering citrusy flavours, tart acidity and some grape stem. Again no stem with decanting; add peach skin.

Rating: 3.5 stars4 stars with decanting.  A bright lemon green colour.  Medium-plus intensity aromas of lemon, stone fruits, with some toast and grape stem, which diminishes with decanting. 

Oxford Landing Chardonnay, 2020 and Cabernet Sauvignon, 2019 with wines in glasses
Oxford Landing Chardonnay, 2020 and Cabernet Sauvignon, 2019 with wines in glasses

Oxford Landing Cabernet Sauvignon, South Australia, 2019 (BC $15.98 at Everything Wine)

Appearance: A deep mix of garnet with a hint of ruby, translucent to the core, about 90% opaque.
Nose: Medium-plus intensity. Primarily cassis aroma along with a touch of chocolate and oak, that persists with decanting.  
Palate: Dry, bigger mouthfeel, round with a waxy texture that slowly evolves to velvet with air.  Cassis, red fruits, blackberries and ripe plum flavours, with a touch of floral and then capsicum on the mid-palate.  It has a slightly sweet fruit edge.  Very fine light intensity tannins. Nice velvety round texture with decanting.  Cassis with capsicum and floral edge.
Finish: Medium length finishing with dark fruits, some sweet fruits and pepperiness.  The tannins get stronger on the finish but are not overly drying. More drying tannins with decanting.

Decanting or not, the wine stays about the same, so open and enjoy. 

Rating: 3.5 stars4 stars Deep garnet with a ruby tone.  Medium intensity nose, primarily cassis with a hint of oak and chocolate. Bigger body, dry and round.  Cassis, blackberries, and ripe plum flavours.  Very light tannins that get stronger on the finish.

Where Can I Buy These Wines?

Both wines are available for purchase at Everything Wine.  These stores also carry one or both wines.

Chardonnay – Kitsilano Wine Cellar, Newport Liquor Pt Moody, Lougheed Liquor, Pill Meadows, Libations on King Ed.

Cabernet Sauvignon – New District, Liquor Plus Royal Oak Victoria, Kitsilano Wine Cellar

Author: mywinepal
Drink Good Wine. That is my motto and I really want to help you drink good wine. What is good wine? That can be a different thing for each people. Food also loves wine so I also cover food and wine pairings, restaurant reviews, and world travel. Enjoy life with me. MyWinePal was started by Karl Kliparchuk, WSET. I spent many years with the South World Wine Society as the President and then cellar master. I love to travel around the world, visiting wine regions and sharing my passion for food & wine with you. Come live vicariously through me, and enjoy all my recommended wines.