Yattarna Penfolds Chardonnay 2009 Magnum  

Notes from Penfolds winemaker peter Gago

COLOUR: Shimmering pale straw. A barrel-fermented Chardonnay?! NOSE: As befits its Southern cool-climate birth right (Victoria and Tasmania), tell-tale notes of grapefruit, lemon/lime citrus immediately ascend.  And yet, there is much more to this cuvée—fragrant jasmine florals, kiwi fruit and white stone-fruits—an instant reminder that the Adelaide Hills (albeit at 5%) still wants to be noticed! PALATE: The modern-day Yattarna palate blueprint is well covered—tight and fine, linear and defined. A mesh of lemon and lime fruits fused with a smattering of brioche and a roasted nuttiness. A decant  or vigorous swirl in the glass reveals sensitive use of stylish French oak and bâtonnage artefact…  a suggestion of nougat, and a flash of lanolin. Temptation awaits. Whilst immediately inviting and eminently drinkable… counter-balanced by latent charm and the yet-to-be revealed complexities that only time in bottle can deliver…

"The style of Yattarna has evolved significantly since its first release into today's elegant, medium bodied style that is very tight-knit in youth and built to age. The 2009 Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay is a multi-regional blend with about 47% of the fruit coming from Derwent Valley (Tasmania), 3% from the Adelaide Hills and the rest from Henty (Victoria) - all cooler climate areas. It was barrel-fermented and matured for nine months in French oak barriques, 40% new and 60% 1 year. At this youthful stage it offers delicate aromas of ripe peaches, green mango and under-ripe pineapple with hints of toasted almonds, cedar, crostini and baker's yeast. The medium bodied palate has a good core of mouth-filling stone fruit and toasty flavors with a beautiful silkiness to the texture and a long zesty finish that lends a lingering minerally / chalky character." Lisa Perrotti-Brown Wine Advocate