Yattarna Chardonnay 2018 Penfolds

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13 tasting notes

96p by Hiroshi Ishida
97p by Pekka Nuikki / Editor of the Fine Wine Magazines and Champagne Magazine
95p by Juha Lihtonen / The Best Scandinavian Sommelier 2003
18p by Jancis Robinson MW / BWW2024/Best Wine Critic of the World
97p by Tuula Hällström
99p by James Halliday / BWW2024 Finalist
96p by Pekka Nuikki / Editor of the Fine Wine Magazines and Champagne Magazine
96p by Juha Lihtonen / The Best Scandinavian Sommelier 2003

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Written Notes

There was a time when the Reserve Bin A contended with Yattarna for accolades as Penfold's top white of the vintage (a little bit apples v oranges as the Yattarna always has an extra year when released), but for several vintages, Yattarna has been unchallenged. And so it is this release, hardly surprising as the 2018 will challenge for the title of all time best Yattarna. What a wine!

A blend of Tasmania, Tumbarumba and the Adelaide Hills fruit. Eight months in French oak barriques, 60% new.

This is a complex, balanced, complete Chardonnay. Ideal oak integration, almost invisible. Spices, peaches, nectarine and if you look hard enough, a hint of grilled cashews. Coiled power, fine acidity and great length. Elegance personified. This is a brilliant Yattarna. 97.

- Ken Gargett

Penfolds Yattarna 2018 / Launched in 1998 with the 1995 vintage, Yattarna is the result of one of the most comprehensive, focused and highly publicised wine development projects ever conducted in Australia. The aspiration and independence of mind across generations of Penfolds winemakers inspired the ambition to create a white wine that would set the standard for ultra-fine Australian Chardonnay, a sortof 'White Grange'. They aim to source and select only the very best Chardonnay fruit from cool-climate regions, in this case Tasmania, Tumbarumba, Adelaide Hills. The name Yattarna is drawn from local indigenous language, meaning ‘little by little, gradually’. Acidity 7.3 g/l, pH 3.12. Aged for eight months in French oak barriques (60% new). All three regions enjoyed a relatively wet winter and spring, setting the vines up with healthy soil moisture profiles for the ensuing growing season. Tasmania experienced clear and generally warm conditions from January onwards, with no extreme heat spells leading into harvest. The temperature breached 35 °C only once in January, resulting in optimal conditions for ripening. Tumbarumba had plentiful rainfall right up to December, when a dry spell set in. In February, temperatures were generally cool allowing for slow, consistent ripening. The Adelaide Hills fruit set was slightly above average. The region experienced a warm finish to the growing season, but well-developed canopies shielded the fruit from adversity and ensured the berries ripened evenly. Harvest was an orderly affair across the three regions.

Fine, complex, really rather burgundian nose and great crystalline fruit and grip without austerity. The acidity level is really quite high compared with many other Chardonnays. Pretty smart. You would be very happy with this if labelled Puligny-Montrachet actually. Good stuff and it should have a long life but could be broached already.

- Jancis Robinson MW / BWW2024/Best Wine Critic of the World

Light, green yellow colour. Rich and toasty nose with charmingly fresh tropical fruity aromas, vivid mintiness and some buttery popcorn notes. Dry and vibrant mouthfeel has very sophisticated new oak flavour that combines well with fresh fruitiness. Very long and lingering aftertaste charms with elegance and harmony. Very appealing wine that drinks well today but will evolve beautifully for next decades. Decant for 2 hours prior enjoying and serve at 10-12°C with Lobster Thermidor or grilled skate. JL 96p (12/2020)

- Juha Lihtonen / The Best Scandinavian Sommelier 2003

Pale gold. Elegant style wine with high pitched nectarine, melon aromas with flinty complexity. Intense pure lime grapefruit nectarine flavours, fine looseknit al-dente/ chalky textures, lovely mid-palate richness, underlying savoury oak complexity and fresh persistent crunchy acidity. Expressive and pure fruited with superb vinosity and mineral length. Needs time to uncoil and further develop. Seal; screwcap 2022 – 2032 13% alc 96 points

An austere yet voluminous Chardonnay where less is more. A highly individual and expressive wine that needs a few years to develop more complexity and richness. Judging by the recent Penfolds Rewards of Patience tastings, the wine promises a lot more with further bottle age.

Tasmania, Tumbarumba, Adelaide Hills

Eight months in 60% new and 40% seasoned French oak barriques

- Andrew Caillard MW / BWW2024 Finalist

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