This one-off 'special bin' wine was made alongside the 1998 vintage of Penfolds' flagship white wine, Yattarna. It follows the successful release of Penfolds Reserve Bin 94A and 95A - which were both enthusiastically received upon release and have encouraged the continuation of these occasional batch wines.
Penfolds Special Bin wines are made to showcase what Penfolds winemakers can achieve when they have access to small quantities of high quality material in superior vintages. Careful selection of grapes from some of the best vineyards in Tumbarumba, the Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale and Drumborg has resulted in a very limited quantity of this superb Chardonnay. Individual fine-grained French oak barrels were selected for perfect integration, complexity and fruit expression. The wine is unfiltered and underwent complete malolatic fermentation.
Vineyard Region: Tumbarumba, Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale, Drumborg
Vintage Conditions: A warm season followed a dry winter, raising fears of drought. Sporadic rainfall throughout the summer relieved the vines, allowing excellent crops, rich in flavour to be picked.
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Maturation: Maturation in 73% new and 27% one-year-old French oak and stored on yeast lees for nine months.
Every so often Penfolds bottle an individual chardonnay they see as having special characteristics as a sort of offshoot of the Yattarna-Adelaide Hills program. The quality is always exemplary. Current release 1998. This is an elegant, subtle and complete Australian chardonnay. It has a pale yellow green colour and the bouquet is complex with melon, fig and nectarine, oatmeal, nuts and light earthy notes. The palate follows suit, rich and superfine in texture with a gorgeous fragrant aftertaste that lasts and lasts. Try it with medallions of lobster. 5 stars The Penguin Good Australian Wine Guide - Australia
