Yattarna Chardonnay 2022
| 98 Points - Colin Hay, The Drinks Business |
| 97+ Points - Erin Larkin, Robert Parker, Wine Advocates |
| 97 Points - Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion |
| 97 Points - Jeni Port, Winepilot |
| 97 Points - Ray Jordan |
Jeni Port
"People think this is a Tasmanian-only wine,” says Peter Gago, Penfolds chief winemaker. “It is not.” Indeed, there is more Tumbarumba fruit in ‘22 than blending partners Tasmania and Adelaide Hills combined. With Tumbarumba enjoying a top ’22 vintage, the choice was obvious. Looks good in bright lemon hues, smells great, too, as it brings forward lifted honeysuckle, white flowers, hay and a wealth of citrus with an intriguing whisper of Asian-inspired lemongrass and kaffir lime. For all of its firmness on the palate, its youth and earnest structure on display, it does express itself rather well, building on a groundwork of citrus, white peach and yellow apple before exploring almond meal, custard peach underscored with notes of creamy, toasty oak with bright, brisk lemony acidity throughout. Complexity is building, texture as well. Quality Australian Chardonnay can now safely be considered a cellaring option with Yattarna leading the way. Something to consider with the ’22 and its serious base of cool climate acidity. 97 Points."
Tyson Stelzer
"One of the best of recent vintages in Tumbarumba has elevated this to the majority composition of Yattarna and the highest proportion of the blend yet. I love its tension and focus, eminently coiled, backward and crunchy even at more than three years of age. Almost ripe fig, white peach, beurre bosc pear and the themes, well framed in the creamy demeanour and supple texture of eminently supportive French oak fermentation. There is an impressive core of fruit presence, tensioned with fully ripe yet impressively energetic acid line that carries a long and enduring finish. 96 Points."
Andrew Caillard MW
"2022 Bin 144 Yattarna is also highly refined and textural but track record shows that its trajectory is upwards. The palate will develop and expand with a few years and it will be worth the wait. 95 Points."
A lovely follow-up to the celebrated 2021 vintage. A wine that stands testament to Penfolds multi-regional blending philosophy.
– Kym Schroeter, Penfolds White Winemaker
Lemon with a green tinge.
The nose brings notes of fresh parchment and cut hay. A crisp freshness of cucumber melds with the zest of lemongrass and Thai basil, infusing the nose with herbaceous charm. The citrus spectrum is represented by smooth lemon curd and candied lime, offering both richness and vivacity to this complex aroma profile.
Watermelon granita gives way to a texture that is grippy yet refined. Oyster shell merges with sugar figs and kiwi fruit, creating a multifaceted palette. Peppery watercress enhances the wine's length. Portuguese custard tarts evoke a sense of indulgence while fine acid provides a backbone that brings balance and poise.
Vintage Conditions
In Tumbarumba, growers celebrated what was heralded as one of the best vintages in recent years. November's La Niña brought substantial rainfall around flowering time, yet a period of dry weather followed, safeguarding both yield and quality. The rain contributed to robust canopy development and bountiful bunch weights. Tasmania experienced drier winter conditions balanced with higher-than-average rainfall in October that helped establish favourable soil moisture levels for budburst. Frost remained absent from vineyards. Cooler spring temperatures coupled with gusty winds during flowering resulted in lower yields than expected. However, a warmer summer without any extreme heat events (>35°C) ensured optimal conditions during veraison. The outcome was exceptional grape quality across vineyards. The Adelaide Hills region experienced healthy winter rains followed by a dry September, laying groundwork for strong canopy growth and uniform budburst. A notably cold October—the coolest seen in many years—alongside a late-October hailstorm contributed to some crop losses while delaying flowering and fruit set by a few weeks. Nevertheless, yields hovered around average marks due to mild weather throughout summer and autumn that elongated the growing season.
| GRAPE VARIETY
Chardonnay
|
Chardonnay |
|---|---|
| VINEYARD REGION
Tumbarumba, Tasmania, Adelaide Hills
|
Tumbarumba, Tasmania, Adelaide Hills |
| wine analysis
Alc/Vol: 12.5%, pH: 3.11, Acidity: 6.8g/L
|
Alc/Vol: 12.5%, pH: 3.11, Acidity: 6.8g/L |
| MATURATION
Eight months in French oak barriques (44% new)
|
Eight months in French oak barriques (44% new) |
The Yattarna Story
The release of Yattarna Chardonnay, after 144 winemaking trials, marked a new chapter in the Penfolds story. The inaugural 1995 vintage was arguably the most talked about and early anticipated white wine in Australian history - dubbed by the media as “White Grange”, it reached the front pages of Australia’s national newspapers. The elegant style epitomises the finesse, restraint and character of modern Australian chardonnay. It is best enjoyed within a three- to 12-year time frame – the wines benefit from some bottle age.
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