Penfolds Reserve Bin 16A Chardonnay 2016
Penfolds 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 distinctive Adelaide Hills Chardonnay persona.
All fruit is hand-picked into small bins and then whole-bunch pressed. 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 on solids, 100% malolactic fermentation (all natural).
$139.00 each
Additional details
Catalog:
Region:
Cellaring:
Drinking well now, but will improve with time. Peak drinking now - 2024.
Nose:
More citrusy than normal with lemon meringue and preserved lemon notes. And yet still harbouring typical Adelaide Hills white nectarine aromas alongside yeast lees/oak- derived complexing characters, almond nougat. A trace of powdered/finely ground white pepper adds an interesting and intriguing element. Background minerals / struck rock / ferric flintiness (not quite wetted iron filings!) spiral upwards, building complexity.
Palate:
Lemon and citrus conceded, however, a more pronounced grapefruit pith character assumes control of palate - obliging a round, mouth-coating, softened phenolic texture. Structurally, a mineral acidity coupled with papery tannins/phenolics, induce an impressive length of flavour. An expressive Bin A displaying more purity and more drive, albeit with greater focus, tightness.
Varietal Composition:
Chardonnay
