2021 Penfolds Reserve Bin A Chardonnay - Adelaide Hills

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. Every new and seasoned French oak barrique is its own unique 225-litre ferment. Enhanced mouthfeel and complexity is achieved by fermenting and maturing on solids with sensitive, intermittent yeast lees stirring. 100% malolactic fermentation (all natural).

2021 Penfolds Reserve Bin A Chardonnay

Robert Parker Wine Advocate - 97+ Points

"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." Drink 2022-2037 Erin Larkin - 22 Jul 2022 Issue 261

"This is in great form, with the nose already settled into a nuanced, complex style. The fruit is ripe, luscious and intense, focused on aromas of white peach, nectarine, grilled bread and grapefruit, as well as almond and fresh-baked pastry. The palate is smoothly arranged, with a seamless delivery of ripe-peach flavor that is both concentrated and elegant. Long and smooth, with acidity supporting the cleanly composed finish. Drink or hold. Screw cap."

96 Points - Nick Stock - James Suckling

"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"

96 Points - Andrew Caillard - The Vintage Journal