Penfolds Reserve Bin 19A Adelaide Hills Chardonnay

Penfolds Reserve Bin A Adelaide Hills Chardonnay: A Singular Expression of Terroir and Craft

Discover the exceptional Penfolds Reserve Bin A Adelaide Hills Chardonnay, a wine that has evolved into a distinctive, single-region style, celebrated for its contemporary and expressive Adelaide Hills Chardonnay persona. This is a Chardonnay of remarkable finesse and complexity, reflecting Penfolds' unwavering commitment to quality and meticulous attention to detail in every bottle.

Penfolds, a winery with an illustrious history dating back to 1844, has long been a benchmark for Australian fine wine. While renowned for its reds, Penfolds' dedication to crafting white wines of equal calibre is superbly demonstrated by the Reserve Bin A Chardonnay. First released in 1994, this wine has established a significant following, garnering impressive successes at wine shows both in Australia and the United Kingdom, contributing to its considerable worldwide attention. It stands as a hallmark Penfolds style, showcasing the unique characteristics of the Adelaide Hills, a region prized for its cool climate and ability to produce Chardonnay with vibrant acidity and elegant fruit profiles. As Penfolds White Winemaker, Kym Schroeter, aptly states, "This wine has all the great characters of Grand Cru Chardonnay, but it’s very much from South Australia.”

The creation of Reserve Bin A Chardonnay is a testament to artisanal winemaking. The fruit is hand-picked into small bins to ensure pristine condition, then whole-bunch pressed – a gentle process that extracts the purest juice. A portion of this juice is incrementally filled directly to new and seasoned French oak barriques (225-litre barrels), where it undergoes a natural fermentation, without the addition of cultivated yeasts. Each barrique thus becomes its own unique ferment. Enhanced mouthfeel, depth, and complexity are achieved by fermenting and maturing the wine on its solids, with sensitive, intermittent stirring of the yeast lees (bâtonnage). Furthermore, the wine undergoes 100% natural malolactic fermentation, contributing to its textural richness and balance.

Tasting Notes: A Journey of Nuance and Elegance

The Penfolds Reserve Bin A Adelaide Hills Chardonnay offers a captivating and evolving tasting experience.

• Colour: The wine presents a beautiful pale straw hue with a bright lemon rim, an visual indication of its freshness and vibrancy.
• Nose: This vintage offers a distinct aromatic profile that moves beyond the archetypal stone fruit often associated with some earlier iterations of Bin A. To the fore are notes of bright lemon curd, juicy mandarin, and crisp nashi pear. These primary fruit characters are subtly complemented by a mere "skerrick" (a small trace) of shortbread and the creamy suggestion of a vanilla slice (sans the icing), adding a delicate, almost pastry-like nuance. Also noteworthy is a touch of spice, with hints of cardamom and caraway, alongside a subtle suggestion of ground almond. The final impression on the nose signs off with a distinct quartz-like minerality and an appealing wet river-stone flintiness. This is a wine whose aromatics promise fascinating evolution in the bottle.
• Palate: The initial entry onto the palate is intriguing, marked by a subtle, almost "fluffy" or "pillowy" gentleness in texture. Flavours of sweet mandarin and a creamy, yoghurt-like character emerge, leading to a rich and satisfying mid-palate. A notable glycerolic viscosity interlocks seamlessly with the wine’s bright, natural acidity, inducing a mouth-watering juiciness. Just a delicate rasp of flint appears at the very end of the palate, adding considerable length, zest, and a refreshing mineral tang. The wine is currently so youthful, and all elements evident on the palate indicate that it needs time to fully integrate and express its considerable potential. It is, as the winemakers suggest, "Adelaide Hills attired alternatively" – a unique and compelling expression.

Serving Suggestions for Optimal Enjoyment

Given its youth and complexity, the Penfolds Reserve Bin A Chardonnay benefits from careful serving. An optimal temperature range is 10-13°C (50-55°F). To catalyse and accelerate its aromatic development in its youth, decanting for 30-60 minutes before serving is recommended. Alternatively, patience will be rewarded, as this wine is built for cellaring. Serve in generously sized Burgundy-style glasses to allow the intricate aromas to develop and to fully appreciate the wine's textural qualities.

Detailed Food Matches: A Sophisticated Culinary Partner

The elegance, bright acidity, and complex flavour profile of Reserve Bin A make it an exceptional partner for a range of sophisticated dishes.

• Fine Seafood and Shellfish: Consider pairing with pan-seared scallops with a citrus beurre blanc, grilled lobster with herb butter, or baked sea bass with fennel and lemon. Its minerality and acidity will cut through the richness beautifully.
• Roast Poultry and White Meats: Perfectly roasted chicken with herbs, guinea fowl, or a subtly flavoured pork tenderloin would be wonderfully complemented. The wine's texture can stand up to these dishes.
• Creamy Risottos and Pasta: A creamy mushroom risotto, a delicate seafood linguine with a light white wine sauce, or pasta with spring vegetables and a touch of parmesan would be delightful.
• Dishes with Umami Richness: Consider dishes featuring mushrooms, truffles, or aged parmesan. A wild mushroom tart or a simple pasta with truffle oil would allow the wine's complexities to shine.
• Subtly Spiced Asian-influenced Cuisine: Delicate Japanese dishes, such as sushi or sashimi, or lightly spiced Vietnamese cuisine can harmonise with the wine's purity and zest.

Cheese Pairing Recommendation:

For a cheese pairing that will complement the nuances of the Penfolds Reserve Bin A Adelaide Hills Chardonnay, select a premium British cheese with a degree of richness and complexity, but one that will not overpower the wine's elegance. A Tunworth or a similar British camembert-style cheese, with its rich, creamy, and mushroomy notes, would be an excellent choice. The creamy texture of the cheese will harmonise with the wine's palate weight and subtle oak influence, while the wine's acidity will provide a lovely counterpoint, cleansing the palate.

Critical Acclaim:

The Penfolds Reserve Bin A Chardonnay consistently impresses critics with its quality and distinctive style:

• 96 points - James Halliday
• 95 points - Andrew Caillard MW
• 95 points - Campbell Mattinson

The Penfolds Reserve Bin A Adelaide Hills Chardonnay is a wine of exceptional pedigree and character, a true reflection of its Adelaide Hills origins and Penfolds’ masterful winemaking. It offers a sophisticated drinking experience now, particularly with decanting, and promises a decade or more of fascinating development for those with the patience to cellar it.