Penfolds Reserve Bin A Chardonnay 2019
98 PT RATED PENFOLDS BIN A CHARDONNAY FROM 5 RED STAR RATED WINERY
- 98 Point Rated James Halliday Wine Companion
- 97 Point Rated Andrew Caillard MW
- 97 Point Rated Tyson Stelzer
- 97 Point Rated Ray Jordan
- 96 Point Rated Campbell Mattinson The Wine Front
Vintage: | 2019 |
Source/Region: | Barossa Valley, South Australia |
Grape Variety: | Chardonnay |
Cellaring: | Drink now or cellar up to 2030 |
Bottle Top: | Stelvin |
Alcohol Content: | 13.00 |
Standard Drinks: | 7.70 |
Rating: | 98 |
Restrained upon first pour. Induce awakening via a sprightly decant, or vigorous swirl. Primary white peach and assorted stone fruits give way to tempting scents of fresh creme anglaise/panna cotta. Oak (just) evident, yet impressively integrated (80% new) Wafts of struck-match prancing above; intense, smoky barrel-ferment notes lurking below. Complexingly challenging – an abundance of character, yet not saturated, aromatically bedazzling, yet not an assault. Adelaide Hills fruit: soaring and intense white peach fruits and defined natural acidity. Barrel-ferment: an interwoven nuttiness (roasted cashew) and pliant tension. Lees contact: creme brulee notes, volume and a heightened leesy texture. The acidity noted above is not a defining feature – more of a softer/gentler acidity playing a supporting role –complimentary to texture. An expansive palate that grows – propelled by persistent flavours and textural integrity.
Rainfall was well below average during the growing season, however good falls in June and August ensured optimal soil moisture levels for budburst. Cold, wet and windy weather prevailed during flowering, which caused poor fruit-set and a significant reduction in the anticipated crop size. Summer was generally hot, with two heatwaves in January mitigated by cooler spells in-between. In contrast to some warmer regions, Adelaide Hills vines were well placed to see off the summer heat spikes with few issues. The growing season finished well, with mild conditions leading into vintage. Chardonnay grapes displayed strong varietal character and retained good natural acidity.
98 Point Rated - James Halliday Wine Companion
Hand picked, whole-bunch pressed, part direct to barriques for wild ferment and 100% mlf, the balance via tank for brief settling before 8 months in French oak (80% new). A beautifully detailed chardonnay, white peach and pink grapefruit plus supple creamy cashew run through the very long palate. Rubs shoulders with the best in the land.
97 Point Rated- Andrew Caillard MW
Pale gold. Classic flinty, grapefruit, nectarine aromas with underlying vanilla roasted almond notes. Generous in flavour yet tight in structure with pure grapefruit white peach nectarine flavours, creamy textures, savoury complexity and fresh persistent mineral acidity. Finishes long, sweet and crisp with light marzipan notes. Beautiful wine. Seal; screwcap Now – 2028 13% alc 97 points. Wonderful cutting-edge Australian Chardonnay showing superb volume, richness of fruit and tension. An Australian First Growth Chardonnay reflecting superb fruit sourcing and winemaking philosophy. Move over Puligny! Eight months in 80% new and 20% seasoned French oak barriques.
97 Point Rated - Tyson Stelzer
“The transparency of chardonnay to articulately convey its terrior is remarkable indeed, and this wine tells the intricate story of Adelaide Hill’s hot summer and mild autumn of 2019. There is a generosity and a determined reservation communicated in aromatic reluctance, ultimately emerging a day after opening, charged with all the tension of cool autumn nights. Maker Kym Schroeter considers 2019 to be up with 2017 as a cracking vintage for good sulphides in the Adelaide Hills. This struck flint reduction that we adore in Bin A wafts gracefully over a core of precise lemon, grapefruit and white peach, leaping forth triumphantly on the front and coasting into a long tail of beautifully poised acidity, backed with a masterfully deployed, high- class cashew nut French oak. Another great hit in the grand legacy of Bin A – 97 Points.”
97 Point Rated - Ray Jordan
96 Point Rated - Campbell Mattinson The Wine Front
Adelaide Hills. Superstar chardonnay. Eight months in oak, 80% new. Which is a lot of new oak. The 2018 was 40% new oak. Flint and funk for sure but wow, does this wine have length. I doubt that I’ve ever written these words before: this is a chardonnay with a peacock’s tail. It’s pure chardonnay in its flavour profile, stone fruit and grilled nuts as matchstick warfare flies over the top, but it’s the incredible length of the finish that takes this wine completely out of the ordinary.
Link Your Account
Do you already have a Get Wines Direct account?
If yes, please enter your login information below.