Reserve Bin A Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2023
| Varietal
Chardonnay
|
Chardonnay |
|---|---|
| Vintage
2023
|
2023 |
| Country
Australia
|
Australia |
| Region
Adelaide Hills
|
Adelaide Hills |
| Volume
750 mL
|
750 mL |
| Closure
Screw Cap
|
Screw Cap |
| Alc/Vol
12.5%
|
12.5% |
| Peak Drinking
Now - 2036
|
Now - 2036 |
| 96 Points - Ken Gargett |
| 95+ Points - Erin Larkin, Robert Parker, Wine Advocates |
| 95 Points - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine front |
| 95 Points - Tyson Stelzer |
| 95 Points - Ray Jordan |
Tyson Stelzer
"The cool, wet and low-yielding 2023 season has built a Reserve Bin A with a core of spicy complexity and a crunchy demeanour. Grapefruit and beurre bosc pear are accented with pronounced ginger and textured with the creaminess of wild fermentation on solids with regular bâtonnage, full natural malolactic fermentation and the cashew nut complexity of high-class French oak. This is a season that contrasts the expansive generosity of low-yielding chardonnay with the tension of a cool, humid season, producing a style of deep-set complexity from the outset, making this an earlier-drinking Bin A of magnificent definition and presence, holding impressive line and length. 95 points."
Tyson Stelzer
"The cool, wet and low-yielding 2023 season has built a Reserve Bin A with a core of spicy complexity and a crunchy demeanour. Grapefruit and beurre bosc pear are accented with pronounced ginger and textured with the creaminess of wild fermentation on solids with regular bâtonnage, full natural malolactic fermentation and the cashew nut complexity of high-class French oak. This is a season that contrasts the expansive generosity of low-yielding chardonnay with the tension of a cool, humid season, producing a style of deep-set complexity from the outset, making this an earlier-drinking Bin A of magnificent definition and presence, holding impressive line and length. 95 points."
Our Reserve Bin A Chardonnay is a showcase of cool-climate viticulture, Sourced only from the Adelaide Hills. The 2023 vintage allowed extended hang time and great flavour development. Will reward careful cellaring.
– Kym Schroeter, Penfolds White Winemaker
Pale straw, white gold.
Upon first inspection citrus curd aromas unfurl, laced with almond croissant and the sweetness of Fuji apple. Nashi pear adds a layer of sophistication, while grapefruit brings a refreshing zesty twist. The bouquet is enlivened by a signature funky note that suggests complexity and depth. The fruit remains pure in its distinctive regional expression.
The palate is greeted by a blend of marzipan richness and wet stone minerality, followed by a lush quince paste delicacy. Rose water offers a floral subtlety which complements the nuttiness of praline. Sea spray infuses this Chardonnay with saline freshness. The mouthfeel has phenolic elements, contributing to a texture that is both waxy and elegant. Grapefruit returns on the palate, maintaining its bright citrus character with quartz-like clarity. The acidity frames the fruit perfectly; it’s present yet finely woven into the wine's fabric.
Vintage Conditions
The Adelaide Hills growing season commenced with near average winter rainfall, despite an unusually dry July. With soil moisture levels adequately replenished, the vines were well prepared for spring. Significant spring rainfall, however, presented logistical hurdles. Vineyard access was difficult due to waterlogged conditions across both lowland and sloped terrains. November saw a threefold increase in average rainfall —posing further difficulties for machinery. The abundance of moisture, combined with cooler temperatures, led to delayed budburst and flowering. These cold snaps were punctuated by sporadic hail events that compounded yield concerns. Weather patterns shifted favorably as flowering began, bringing drier conditions that greatly reduced disease pressure on the burgeoning fruit. As February's warmth embraced the region, the smaller-than-anticipated crop benefitted from focused vigor. The result was a harvest of Chardonnay grapes that retained their natural acidity while achieving outstanding aromatic intensity and depth of flavour.
| GRAPE VARIETY
Chardonnay
|
Chardonnay |
|---|---|
| VINEYARD REGION
Adelaide Hills
|
Adelaide Hills |
| wine analysis
Alc/Vol: 12.5%, pH: 3.07, Acidity: 6.7g/L
|
Alc/Vol: 12.5%, pH: 3.07, Acidity: 6.7g/L |
| MATURATION
Seven months in French oak barriques (60% new, 30% 1-y.o.)
|
Seven months in French oak barriques (60% new, 30% 1-y.o.) |
The Reserve Bin A Story
Reserve Bin A Chardonnay has established a strong following since it was first released in 1994. The impressive successes at wine shows, both in Australia and the UK, has contributed to the significant worldwide attention to this hallmark Penfolds style. The early vintages included some Tumbarumba fruit and since 2003 it has been released entirely under screwcap. Reserve Bin A was not made in 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002 and 2011.
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