Oakover Releases 2015 Vintage Wines & Unveil Bright New Look!
Last night I was lucky enough to attend the unveiling of Oakover’s 2015 Whites, Rose and a couple of newly released reds from the cellar. I was a ‘good’ wine blogger on this particular night as I actually made sure I wrote a tasting note for each wine. Typically I get sidetrack by the wine, food and people – but last night I was down to business (maybe that was something to do with having to drive!).
Not only were we introduced to new releases in the Oakover wine range, put we were also some of the first people to see the brand new look and feel of the wine range with their brightly coloured labels and caps. I love them! They are eye-catching and oooze happiness and personality just like the makeover at Oakover Grounds does. I think they’ve done really well in terms of design and branding as everything seemed to flow (excuse the pun).
The event took place at the tucked away LouVe Cafe in the Perth city centre. If you don’t work in the area you’d be hard pushed to find it as it’s located on level 3 of the Alluvion Building. The Private Room at LouVe was perfect for the small gathering of wine industry peeps.
I have to admit the food supplied by LouVe was delicious! And the waiter was full of personality which was brilliant! I was head over heels for the wild mushroom arancini, however there were so many delightful canapes from the tomato, bocconcini & basil bruschetta to the mini gourmet quiches to the Potato Croquettes to the rare roast beef served with beetroot relish bruschetta and the Proscuitto & scallop rumakis. I didn’t need dinner when I got home as naturally I just ‘had’ to try every canape at least once!
Winemaker Ragan and Assistant Winemaker Dan were on pouring duties and were happy to explain more about the intricacies of each of the wines. Ragan is a Kiwi from Gisborne who has worked in various wineries around the world including in the Napa Valley and Spain. Dan studied winemakeing in WA but is originally from Adelaide. It was also lovely to meet the bubbly Sales & Marketing Manager, Stacey, alongside the super friendly Oakover CEO, Damien.
Plus I have to give a special shout-out to Ruth from Liquor Barons Applecross who I had such a great time chatting to and hearing about all her wine adventures. If you live in the area, definitely get down there to see what Ruth has on offer – she is pretty dedicated to her ‘wine research’ and gets in a few special bottles for her patrons. Including Oakover Wines of course!
Anyway without further ado, here is what I thought of the new release wines:
Oakover White Label 2015 Rose
Metallic pink on the eye. Intoxicating aromas of strawberries and raspberries with a touch of bay leaves and cooling mint. Nice and dry with good oomph which I found quite surprisingly for some reason. Very tart finish – cranberry and cherry sour. One of my picks from the night for sure, it’s a style of rose I really enjoy and could imagine it going well with even meaty dishes.
Oakover White Label 2015 Classic White
A blend of Chenin, Semillon, Viognier and Chardonnay. Yet again, I want to stress – don’t write off Classic Whites they are good in their own right and I have to say Oakover does them pretty well! Silver yellow on the eye. Nice thick smell of dried herbs and tropical fruit. The thickness flows through to the front of the palate but then is super silky and elegant. Lovely juicy pear flavours. Much too easy to drink over the hot months I reckon, it’ll definitely be my summer elixir.
Oakover White Label 2015 Unwooded Chardonnay
Pale sunshine Chardy yellow. Creamy yet fresh. Orchard fruits – peach & nectarine with some crisp green apple on the nose. Mellow melon and honey-dew with a touch of white pepper in the mouth. Nice easy drinking Chardonnay made in stainless steel.
Oakover White Label 2015 Sauvignon Blanc Semillon (grapes from Pemberton)
Very slight green tinge to the colour. Herbaceous, flax, pineapple, floral perfume. Vibrant fresh pineapple and subtle spiced apple flavours on the palate with a zip of passionfruit and fresh acidity.

Oakover White Label 2015 Chenin Blanc
Yellow colour with a very slight peach hint. Off dry aromas of creme brûlée and peach with a spoonful of vanilla ice cream on the side. I picked up watermelon and grapefruit on the palate plus something really unique that I just couldn’t quite put my taste buds on and due to driving I couldn’t keep sipping at it to work it out.
Oakover 2012 Cabernet Merlot
Deep garnet colour in the glass. Lovely aromas of black cherries, cassis and a touch of new leather on the nose. Juicy black & red fruits, coffee beans, earthy and a touch of spritzy pizzazz on the palate.
Oakover 2013 Shiraz
Burgundy brown on the eye. Farmyard warmth on the nose with ripe whiffs of currants and black pepper spice. Earthy soil. Unique. Pencil sharpenings. Pruney and tarry.
All tasting notes are based on my own taste buds. To find out if the Oakover wines are right for you, you’ll just have to try them yourself sometime soon! And I would highly suggest going and doing it out at Oakover Grounds – make sure you grab some of the chicken wings too!
For more information check out the Oakover Grounds website or connect with them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.