2017 Bin 311 Chardonnay

Deeper and richer, the 2017 Chardonnay Bin 311 was sourced from multiple regions in South East Australia and was brought up in barrels, some being new. Perfumed notes of white grapefruit, caramelized citrus, white flowers, and a terrific sense of salty minerality all emerge from this layered, medium-bodied effort. With bright acidity, a supple, layered texture, and a great finish, it’s a complete, incredibly high-quality white from this terrific producer.

Struck match, touches of toasted hazelnut and grilled peach and fresh lime notes give the 2017 Chardonnay Bin 311 ample complexity on the nose and palate. It's medium-bodied, with a touch of creaminess on the mid-palate and a long, silky finish. New for this year, it's a blend of fruit from the Adelaide Hills (56%), Tasmania (27%) and Tumbarumba (17%), so in the United States, it carries the inauspicious GI of South Eastern Australia. Don't be misled by that, as it's a serious, classy wine for a very reasonable price.

Fruit from Adelaide Hills, Tasmania, Tumbarumba. They changed the source of fruit this year and made twice as much as the old 311 volume, but very much following the style. The fruit used to come from one cool-climate region, but this wine is from three regions – all marginal cool climate. A generally cooler vintage with good rainfall in winter and spring. Eight months in French oaks and for the first time there’s about 25% new barriques. All barrel fermentation. TA 6.4 g/l, pH 3.17. Quite full and leesy on the nose. Crisp palate and very tight and tense. Pretty light. Fresh and far from opulent. (JR)