2016 Yattarna

Pale yellow-gold. A highly complex, mineral-accented bouquet evokes fresh citrus and orchard fruits, buttered toast and white flowers, and a hint of iodine builds with air. Shows impressive clarity and thrust to intense orange zest, pear, brioche and honeysuckle flavors that tighten up steadily on the back half. Delivers a compelling blend of richness and tension on an impressively long, lively finish that features suave floral and mineral flourishes.

Gently toasted almond and subtle pencil shavings give some indication of the 35% new French oak that was used to age the 2016 Chardonnay Yattarna. Ripe peach, pear and melon fruit fills out the medium to full-bodied palate, then really grows in intensity and focus on the long finish. This is the most complete Yattarna I've ever tasted, blending richness and acidity in a seamless fashion. It's a blend of fruit from Tasmania (51%), Henty (23%), Adelaide Hills (14%) and Tumbarumba (12%).

Fruit is 51% Tasmania, 23% Henty, 14% Adelaide Hills and 12% Tumbarumba. Orange fruit no longer goes in their top bottlings. They now own the Henty vineyards. Growing conditions were close to ideal, with good winter rains, a warm and clear spring and a rain-free harvest. Eight months in French oak, 35% new oak. No wild ferments for Yattarna. Having chosen the best fruit they want the insurance of knowing how the ferments will go. TA 7.1 g/l, pH 3.14. Quite a blend. Complex and well balanced. Chalky crunch and life. Long and a very obvious step up from the other two Chardonnays. Light grip and hint of phenolic bitterness on the end. (JR)