Reserve Bin 13A Penfolds Chardonnay 2013  

Bottled February 2014. Nine months in French barriques (40% new and 60% one year old). 1994 was the first vintage, one year before Yattarna. Has always been Adelaide Hills – more ostentatious and more of a show wine. Style has evolved. Made direct from press so no two barriques are the same. ‘We go for wines that are more gunflint and sulphides’. 100% malolactic, all natural. Usually unfiltered. TA 7 g/l, pH 3.15. All barrel fermented. 

Pale steely green. Very full on. Broad and classic nose – pretty appetising palate. Zesty finish. Seems a bit middle of the road. Slightly chewy still. But it does seem a mite old-fashioned. 

16/20 Jancis Robinson www.jancisrobinson.com