Reserve Bin A Chardonnay has evolved into a wine that is now a distinctive, single-region style in its own right, with a contemporary and expressive Adelaide Hills chardonnay persona. Fruit is hand-picked into small bins and then whole bunch pressed. A portion of the juice is incrementally filled to barrel directly from the press and allowed to undergo a natural fermentation, sans inoculation.Enhanced mouthfeel and complexity is achieved by fermenting and maturing on solids with regular yeast lees stirring. 100% malolactic fermentation (all natural).
Varietal | Chardonnay |
---|---|
Vintage | 2021 |
Country | Australia |
Region | Adelaide Hills |
Volume | 750 mL |
Closure | Screw Cap |
Alc/Vol | 12.5% |
Peak Drinking | 2023 – 2032 |
A P John Coopers Perennial Trophy for Best Chardonnay | 2022 Sydney Wine Show |
The Tucker Seabrook Perpetual Trophy for best Wine of Show | 2022 Sydney Wine Show |
The Albert Chan Memorial Prize for the best White | 2022 Sydney Wine Show |
Gold | 2022 James Halliday Chardonnay & Cabernet Challenge |
Gold | 2022 Royal Queensland Wine Show |
Gold | 2022 Sydney Wine Show |
Silver | 2022 International Wine and Spirit Competition |
97+ Points | Erin Larkin, Robert Parkers Wine Advocate |
97 Points | Tyson Stelzer |
97 Points | James Halliday, Wine Companion |
96 Points | Andrew Caillard MW |
96 Points | Nick Stock, JamesSuckling.com |
96 Points | Ken Gargett, The World of Fine Wine |
"The 2021 vintage in the Adelaide Hills was cool in the context of the region, and the 2021 Reserve Bin A Chardonnay is imbued with a delicacy and laciness, bedded down on a base of crushed nuts and exotic spice. There is white peach, green apple, brine, a hint of curry leaf and layers of orchard fruit. The acidity is fine and citrus driven... pithy and subtle. Largely made from Bernard Clones 95 and 96, the wine matured for nine months in 50% new French oak. The vineyard sourcing for this wine is trending closer and closer to the Piccadilly Valley. Clocking in at a minute 12.5% alcohol (on the label, that is, but Peter believes it's more like 12.3% or 12.4%), the wine has volume and generosity, without weight or density. It billows in the mouth but is inordinately restrained, sophisticated and polished. A brilliant wine that showcases the excellent vintage – 97+ points."
"Pale colour. Fresh camomile, lemon, lime, grapefruit, flinty aromas with hints of vanilla and marzipan. Concentrated, complex and creamy textured with ample lemon curd, grapefruit, white peach flavours, fine loose-knit slinky textures, lovely mid-palate volume and integrated fresh/ crisp acidity. Finishes al dente and minerally with tonic water notes. Very well-balanced wine with very good energy, definition and cut. Should last the distance. 72% of the blend is aged for nine months in new (50%) and seasoned one-year-old (22%) oak. Drink now to 2032. 12.5% alc"
There is a lot to discern here …
Minerality first: finely crushed flint, wet stone, reminiscent of river pebble.
Fruits second: white stone fruits (peach and nectarine) with custard apple, orange blossom and ruby grapefruit pith.
Pâtisserie third: crème brûlée, custard anglaise, almond brittle and pistachio nougat.
Spices? A suggestion of cassia and smokey cedar. Tightly wound, needs time to unfurl in the glass.
Fresh white stone fruits carry through to the palate, layered and textural.
Wet stone minerality provides allure and balance to sweet nougat and cashew.
The acidity is soft, pillowy and supportive of the very fine grained phenolics.
The finish has tremendous length, with layers of complexity competing for attention.
The 2021 vintage was a welcome return to normal yields and weather patterns in the Adelaide Hills after two vintages affected by extreme conditions. Despite a relatively dry July, soil moisture profiles were close to the long-term average by budburst. September’s warm spring weather promoted strong canopy growth, helped along by ample rainfall. Conditions for flowering were ideal, ensuring good fruit-set. Summer was mild, with only nine days over 35°C. Intermittent rain in January and early February had the vines in optimal condition for the final stages of ripening. Cool conditions prevailed over harvest, allowing long hang-time and excellent varietal flavour development.
Key to the success of Penfolds has been a lineage of visionary winemakers. There have only ever been four Chief Winemakers at the helm of Penfolds – Max Schubert, Don Ditter, John Duval and Peter Gago, each a custodian of a rich winemaking tradition that goes back for more than 170 years.
Our current Penfolds winemaking team has more than 100 years between them as Penfolds winemakers. They are constantly refining and improving their work, whilst honouring the winemaking techniques of their predecessors.