Wine Article
2018 Penfolds Chardonnay Yattarna Bin 144
Last edited on 8/10/2020 by LindsayM
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WINEMAKER QUOTES
“Arguably ... on par with the exceptional 2012 and 2017 vintages of Yattarna –this release certainly has the potential to befit a classic designation!.”
- Peter Gago, Penfolds Chief Winemaker
TASTE DESCRIPTION
Color
Very pale straw with lime green hues
Nose
A pedigreed stylistic first alert – subtle flint, more rock-flint than struck-match.
A mist of limey citrus, curry leaf and hints of white peach. Quite an exotic ascent... no need to coax from glass via a vigorous swirl.
Understated spoils of cool-climate, barrel-fermented chardonnay – a lovely waxiness, whiff of cashew, and subtle creaminess.
A Southern-Hemisphere reflection extolling Burgundian restraint, temperament.
Palate
At once, substantial flavour coupled with a textural dynamic; mouth-filling, engulfing – opens up aka mid-symphony, no instrument idle.
White stone fruits – just ripe nectarine and freshly-sliced peach, and the most subtle adornment of oak and zesty acidity.
A wonderful line struts across the mid-palate, not brazenly, yet with real purpose/destination and persistence.
Amplified innate potential; beautifully poised and defined.
More? Enough will not be enough.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Origin: Multi-regional blend. From Tasmania, Tumbarumba, Adelaide Hills.
Maturation: Eight months in French oak barriques (60% new)
Wine Analysis: Alc/Vol: 13%, Acidity: 7.3 g/L, pH: 3.12
Variety: Chardonnay.
VINTAGE CONDITIONS
All three regions enjoyed a relatively wet winter and spring, setting the vines up with healthy soil moisture profiles for the ensuing growing season. Tasmania experienced clear and generally warm conditions from January onwards, with no extreme heat spells leading into harvest. The temperature only breached 35°C once in January, resulting in optimal conditions for ripening.
Tumbarumba had plentiful rainfall right up to December, when a dry spell set in. In February, temperatures were generally cool allowing for slow, consistent ripening. The Adelaide Hills fruit-set was slightly above average. The region experienced a warm finish to the growing season, however well-developed canopies shielded the fruit from adversity and ensured the berries ripened evenly. Harvest was an orderly affair across the three regions, with chardonnay exhibiting outstanding varietal characteristics with bracing natural acidity.
“Arguably ... on par with the exceptional 2012 and 2017 vintages of Yattarna –this release certainly has the potential to befit a classic designation!.”
- Peter Gago, Penfolds Chief Winemaker
TASTE DESCRIPTION
Color
Very pale straw with lime green hues
Nose
A pedigreed stylistic first alert – subtle flint, more rock-flint than struck-match.
A mist of limey citrus, curry leaf and hints of white peach. Quite an exotic ascent... no need to coax from glass via a vigorous swirl.
Understated spoils of cool-climate, barrel-fermented chardonnay – a lovely waxiness, whiff of cashew, and subtle creaminess.
A Southern-Hemisphere reflection extolling Burgundian restraint, temperament.
Palate
At once, substantial flavour coupled with a textural dynamic; mouth-filling, engulfing – opens up aka mid-symphony, no instrument idle.
White stone fruits – just ripe nectarine and freshly-sliced peach, and the most subtle adornment of oak and zesty acidity.
A wonderful line struts across the mid-palate, not brazenly, yet with real purpose/destination and persistence.
Amplified innate potential; beautifully poised and defined.
More? Enough will not be enough.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Origin: Multi-regional blend. From Tasmania, Tumbarumba, Adelaide Hills.
Maturation: Eight months in French oak barriques (60% new)
Wine Analysis: Alc/Vol: 13%, Acidity: 7.3 g/L, pH: 3.12
Variety: Chardonnay.
VINTAGE CONDITIONS
All three regions enjoyed a relatively wet winter and spring, setting the vines up with healthy soil moisture profiles for the ensuing growing season. Tasmania experienced clear and generally warm conditions from January onwards, with no extreme heat spells leading into harvest. The temperature only breached 35°C once in January, resulting in optimal conditions for ripening.
Tumbarumba had plentiful rainfall right up to December, when a dry spell set in. In February, temperatures were generally cool allowing for slow, consistent ripening. The Adelaide Hills fruit-set was slightly above average. The region experienced a warm finish to the growing season, however well-developed canopies shielded the fruit from adversity and ensured the berries ripened evenly. Harvest was an orderly affair across the three regions, with chardonnay exhibiting outstanding varietal characteristics with bracing natural acidity.