Ocean Eight is a family-owned and run by the Aylward family. Chris and Gail Aylward first made wine on the Mornington Peninsula in 1997 when they established the iconic Kooyong Estate.   Having sold Kooyong in 2004 they setup Ocean Eight on the southern and more cooler side of the Mornington Peninsula.   Ocean Eight is now run by their son Mike Aylward and his wife Hollie.   The 2011 Chardonnay lives up to their reputation – macadamia-nut aromas with some clove spices resulting from the barrel fermentation. The fruit is very much in the lime and grapefruit spectrum. The finish is the highlight with a racy acid and mineral mouth-feel up the centre of the palate.

Awarded 97 points – James Halliday