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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 90.6 pts. and median of 90 pts. in 24 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by peterchoy on 7/19/2023 & rated 93 points: Appearance: Bright and clear, the wine is of medium gold colour, with narrow watery rims and legs.
Nose: Clean, with pronounced intensity aromas of green fruit of ripe apple, tropical fruit of pineapple, citrus fruit of lemon, floral notes of honeysuckle, oak notes of vanilla, mineral notes of lanolin, kernel notes of roasted almond, maturity notes of honey. The wine is fully developed.
Palate: Dry with high acidity, the wine has medium alcohol, full body, with medium (+) intensity flavours of green fruit of ripe apple, citrus fruit of lemon, mineral notes of lanolin, oak notes of vanilla, dairy notes of cream. The wine has a medium (+) finish.
Conclusion: Very good quality Australian Chardonnay with very intense nose showing great complexity, with plenty of citrus, ripe apple and tropical pineapple, plus ranges of floral, waxy, vanilla and roasted almond, plus good development of honey characters. On the palate it has good balance, with high acidity and intense concentration of flavours, finishing strong with a long length. It is ready to drink now and not intend for further ageing, and can maintain for another 2-3 years. (577 views) | | | Tasted by TGOT on 2/26/2023 & rated 96 points: This wine exceeded expecations by a wide margin at our Aussie wine dinner. One participant compared it to aged Peter Michael. It was truly a beautiful wine. Mellow apple, pineapple and passionfruit flavor profile. Big, round mouthfeel. Low acidity. Dark yellow in coloring. (544 views) | | | Tasted by levicn on 5/28/2022 & rated 90 points: 深金黄色，闻香有焦糖加上酵母的鲜味，入口酸度中等，冰糖，奶油，坚果混合着植物气息和辛辣感，橡木桶带来油润口感，后段漂亮白花香，酒体不轻，感觉酒精度也不低，典型老酒表现，用桶漂亮，果实特征偏弱，上次喝2000年份的Yattarna时惊叹它的鲜活，22年怎么可以这么年轻，陈年潜力惊人啊。这次喝1998又是完全不同的体验，一个老酒真正的样子。Yattarna真是让人捉摸不透啊。 (917 views) | | | Tasted by F1NUT on 11/18/2020 & rated 90 points: Lucky to get a good bottle I think, it was double decanted but still opened up much more in the glass over a couple of hours. Looks somewhat youthful with a deep straw colour and distinctly Chardonnay nose.
The palate is a joy and rather amazing for this 22 year old wine. It still has elegance but develops impact in the mouth with perfectly ripe fruit and cleansing acidity. Very good length and great with food. The oak has subdued and acidity is mild but balancing the very good but aged fruit.
This bottle still had life and some vigour, keeping its poise over more than two hours in a glass, but surely 22 years is enough so perhaps drink these while the wine is still very enjoyable. (1650 views) | | | Tasted by parinacota on 5/5/2018 & rated 89 points: Last bottle of 1998 Yattarna. Good example which showed notes of hazelnuts, roasted bread, honey and peach in the nose. Medium weight and medium+ in length. Probably past its peak, but still pleasant. (2330 views) | | | Tasted by CamWheeler on 3/2/2017 & rated 83 points: Chardonnay and Pinot Tasting: Ginger, bruised apple and nutty on the nose. The fruit on the palate has sadly faded a bit too much. While this bottle is just holding on, it would certainly have been better 5 years ago. (2779 views) | | | Tasted by Mlermontov on 9/10/2014 & rated 91 points: Blind Tasting in Astoria: this was good but not even close to the 99. good minerality but showing age. bit more sweetness in the middle which points to the new world. creamy, hints of oak. Still excellent fruit - falling toward the autumnal spectrum. very cool. (3890 views) | | | Tasted by Coollawyer on 3/23/2012 & rated 94 points: Quite possibly the best white I has this year. With lovely honey color with a slight green tinge. Incredible finish and with lovely honey citrus. (4306 views) | | | Tasted by Margaux04 on 2/11/2012 & rated 91 points: Deep golden. Nose subdued, though aristocratic. Long and mature in the mouth, with an extraordinary balance. Remember the white nucleus in a young fresh peach ? That's what you get on the palate after a couple of seconds. Long, long aftertaste. For those who love mature white wines this is a must! Tip: Keep the food simple to enhance the wine. (3823 views) | | | Tasted by Jeremy Holmes on 11/16/2010: Some mild tca marred what was indeed a fresh and very good Aussie Chardy. It was rich and broad with plenty of creamy orchard fruits and a long dry finish. (3312 views) | | | Tasted by chatters on 12/31/2009 & rated 89 points: pineapple, toasted coconut, acidity. (3272 views) | | | Tasted by wp_drinkers on 11/8/2009 & rated 88 points: Clear golden colour. Nose has some peach, vanilla and even a hint of apricot and honey. In the mouth its creamy with nice acidity. Has a long finish leaving behind some citrus flavours. (2495 views) | | | Tasted by LARich on 5/5/2009 & rated 92 points: outstanding color, still fresh, and absolutely delicious. wish we had more! (1917 views) | | | Tasted by pea on 3/8/2009 & rated 92 points: A combination of crisp tropical fruit and toasty, buttery aromas. Smooth and silky texture. Greatly balanced. On its peak! (2143 views) | | | Tasted by Wrighty on 6/18/2007 & rated 91 points: Danny's leaving dinner (again) (Crown Wine Cellars, Hong Kong): A little caramelized pineapple. Palate is round with a little fat and butter. Lovely balance and a little finesse. (2922 views) | | | Tasted by graemeg on 5/7/2007: NobleRottersSydney - Revisiting the '98 cellar (Alio's, Surry Hills): {cork, 13.5%} A developed nose of cashews & nuts, smoky oak, bread and yeast. Dry, and with low-medium soft acidity and subtle tannins, there’s a touch of butteriness amid the soft oak and nutty flavours on the palate. Decent weight of fruit on the mid-palate is the best feature, along with deftly-handled quality oak. Drinking nicely now, but not worth the money. (2331 views) | | | Tasted by serialmonkey on 4/5/2006 & rated 89 points: Century Wine Club - Chardonnay Spectacular (Roberts Restaurant, Pokolbin): I can see why Penfolds don't like people calling this White Grange - cause while it's a good drop, it isn't in that league, and they know it.
Softer, almost floral nose with a sharp-ending length on the palette. Perhaps not quite up to scratch this vintage. (3234 views) | | | Tasted by tendring on 2/7/2005 & rated 89 points: Wine Education Service - Penfolds: Slightly greenish.
An inviting vegetal nose, grassy and mineral elements with a touch of oak.
Pleasant tasting wine, good acidity, toasty, medium length. (1150 views) | | | Tasted by tendring on 2/7/2005 & rated 89 points: Clear, slightly greenish.
Vegetal, asparagus, oak, grass, citrus and mineral elements, really complex and inviting.
Good acidity, toasty, spirit, pleasant in the mouth, medium length. (861 views) | | | Tasted by Easter Everywhere on 11/1/2004 & rated 90 points: Deep med gold, heavenly aromas of lees, lemon, honey, toast, sweet apple, b4, a3, rich, full bodied, thick & round, w/apple, nuts & plenty of acidity, very pleasant wine, honey, iodine, really good (1167 views) |
| By Richard Hemming, MW
JancisRobinson.com (9/1/2020)
(Penfolds, Yattarna Bin 144 Chardonnay South Eastern Australia White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Gary Walsh
The WINEFRONT (12/15/2006)
(Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay) Subscribe to see review text. | By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, July/August 2001, IWC Issue #97
(Penfolds Wines Chardonnay Yattarna Adelaide Hills) Subscribe to see review text. | By James Halliday
Halliday Wine Companion (2/8/2000)
(Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of JancisRobinson.com and The WINEFRONT and Vinous and Halliday Wine Companion. (manage subscription channels) |
| Penfolds Producer website
Producer Cellar Door - Barossa (Google Maps)
About Us
Australia's winemaking history of less than two hundred years is brief by European measures though, like Europe, punctuated by periods of extreme success and difficult times. From the earliest winemaking days Penfolds has figured prominently and few would argue the importance of Penfolds’ influence on Australia’s winemaking psyche.
Without the influence of Penfolds the modern Australian wine industry would look very different indeed. Sitting comfortably outside of fad and fashion, Penfolds has taken Australian wine to the world on a grand stage and forged a reputation for quality that is without peer.
Penfolds’ reputation for making wines of provenance and cellaring potential might suggest a mantle of tradition and formality is the preferred attire of a company with so much history to defend. But to label Penfolds as simply an established and conventional winemaker, would be to confuse tradition with consideration and to overlook the innovative spirit that has driven Penfolds since its foundation, and continues to find expression in modern times.
If there is anything traditional about Penfolds, it is the practice of constantly reviewing the wines it already does well, and continuously evolving and refining styles as vineyards mature and access to ever older and more varied vineyard sites improves.
Making The Best Possible Wine
At Penfolds, the role of the winemaker is to make the best possible wine within the constraints of each vintage. Penfolds’ house style emerged from a fortified-wine producing culture and evolved as a winemaking philosophy – a way of making wine – which has had a profound effect on the entire Australian wine industry.
The concept of multi-regional and vineyard blending, a feature of the Penfolds house style, is an amplification of the ‘all-round wine’. Without the constraints of a single vineyard, winemakers could choose the best possible fruit with the outstanding characteristics of each vineyard.
While American oak has played a central role in the development of Penfolds red wines, French oak has been increasingly used in the evolution of new wines – particularly RWT and Yattarna. Maturation in oak, which follows fermentation, is also key to the Penfolds house style.
The Penfolds approach to winemaking has percolated through the entire Australian wine industry over the last 50 years. The techniques employed in research and development of Penfolds wines are remarkable and many of the discoveries and innovations have had a lasting impact on winemaking thinking.
Winemakers
In Max Schubert, Don Ditter, John Duval and Peter Gago, Penfolds has nurtured four of Australia's great winemakers. They have passed the Chief Winemaker’s baton of responsibility for crafting some of Australia's most iconic wines, down through the past six decades.
Joining Peter Gago in the Penfolds winemaking team are Senior Red Winemaker Steve Lienert, Senior White Winemaker Kym Schroeter, and Red Winemakers Andrew Baldwin, Adam Clay, Stephanie Dutton and Matt Woo - also the Penfolds Fortified Winemaker. All members of the Penfolds winemaking team ensure that Penfolds’ reputation for outstanding quality is upheld.
Vineyards
Barossa Valley
Penfolds draws fruit from a combined vineyard area of 618 hectares in the Barossa region of South Australia. The Barossa is about 70 kilometres north of Adelaide and in 1911 Penfolds established a winery at Nuriootpa, completed in time for the 1913 vintage. The Barossa region is known for its relatively low rainfall with many vineyards dry grown on single wire trellising.
Magill Estate
The historic and heritage-protected Magill Estate Vineyard was established in 1844 by Dr Christopher Rawson and Mary Penfold—just eight years after the foundation of Adelaide. It was originally known as the Grange Vineyard, named after their new homestead ‘The Grange’, a cottage which still stands intact amongst the vines.
Eden Valley
Joseph Gilbert planted the first vines in the Eden Valley in 1842 and since that time the region has become synonymous with producing elegant riesling and complex shiraz. While its name suggests a concave nature, Eden Valley is actually a wide ridge, situated east of the Barossa Valley with an altitude ranging from 440 – 550 metres.
McLaren Vale
McLaren Vale is located approximately 40km to the south of Adelaide, with the vineyards in the region located between 6 and 15 kilometres from the Gulf of St Vincent. The elevation ranges from 50 to 350 metres above sea level. Penfolds has company owned vineyards throughout the region, using the fruit as blending components for premium red wines such as Grange and Bin 389.
Coonawarra
Penfolds has had a long history with the Coonawarra region, dating back to their first vineyard purchase in 1960. It is one of the most famous red wine regions in Australia with weathered limestone terra rossa soils, relatively cool climate and overall water availability. Coonawarra has played a significant role in many of Penfolds' multi-regional wines as well as the single region wines such as Bin 128.
James Halliday Australian Wine Companion Winery Of The Year 2014: Penfolds
Penfolds is Australia’s foremost winemaker, with an unbroken line dating back to its establishment in 1844 when medical practitioner Dr Christopher Rawson Penfold and wife Mary purchased ‘the delightfully situated and truly valuable of Mackgill … Comprising 500 acres (202 hectares) of the choicest land’. Here they built the house that still stands today, and within a few years had begun the winery and cellar on the site of today’s buildings at Magill Estate.
Mary took charge of winemaking, initially producing grenache prescribed by her husband as a tonic for anaemic patients. By 1870 she, son-in-law Thomas Hyland and cellar manager/winemaker Joseph Gillard had formed Penfolds & Co. With markets in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales, their wine production was over one-third of South Australia’s total.
Growth continued unabated, and in 1945 Penfolds acquired the jewel of the Magill Vineyard, at that time the largest vineyard in South Australia. It now has 2100 hectares of vineyards, the largest share of Australia’s total. Two men came together in the 1950s to lay the foundation of Penfolds today: winemaker Max Schubert, and research chemist Ray Beckwith (who died shortly after his 100th birthday in 2012); indeed, their contribution transcended Penfolds to the entire Australian wine industry.
The architecture for the Penfolds wine portfolio of the twenty-first century was established in the 1960s, half a century ago. There has been growth, both in the range of labels and their price points, but it has been cleverly – indeed sensitively – managed; demand-driven growth has been achieved without any quality compromise whatsoever.
There is no possibility that the pre-eminence of Penfolds will ever be challenged by any other Australian wine business. Equally certain is that the Penfolds brand value will continue to gain ground on the world stage of all consumable products. If proof be needed, the overall quality of the wines in this Wine Companion is the best Penfolds has ever presented to the markets of the globe.
Author: James Halliday Jul 2013Penfolds Chardonnay YattarnaLaunched in 1998 with the 1995 vintage, Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay was the result of one of the most comprehensive and highly publicised wine development programs ever conducted in Australia.
The aspiration and independence of mind that the late Max Schubert brought to Penfolds winemaking philosophy inspired the winery to embark on the project of creating a white wine that would one day rival the standards of Penfolds Grange.
From 2000 onwards bottles under screw cap
Yattarna reflects Penfolds patience and continued commitment to this goal, its very name being drawn from the Aboriginal, meaning 'little by little, gradually'. Each vintage provides the opportunity to further raise the quality horizon.Chardonnay The Chardonnay GrapeAustralia Wine Australia (Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation) | Australian Wines (Wikipedia)South Australia South Australian Wine Industry Association | South Australian Wines (Wikipedia) |
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