Penfolds Yattarna Bin 144 Chardonnay 2018
Style: White Wine
Closure: Screwcap
Penfolds Yattarna Bin 144 Chardonnay 2018
Camberwell
Burke Road
Camberwell VIC 3124
Australia
Producer: Penfolds
Country: Australia
Region: Multi Regional TAS, NSW & SA
Vintage: 2018
Critic Score: 99 and 19/20
Alcohol: 13.0%
Size: 750 ml
Drink by: 2040
White Wine of the Year - 2022 Halliday Wine Companion Awards
Chardonnay of the Year - 2022 Halliday Wine Companion Awards
Penfolds Rewards of Patience tasting panel 2021 - 5/5 rating
Yattarna Bin 144 Chardonnay was launched in 1998 with the 1995 vintage. The name was chosen to honour the 144 winemaking trials it took Penfolds to perfect their flagship white wine and marked a new chapter in the Penfolds story. The inaugural 1995 vintage was arguably the most eagerly anticipated white wine release in Australian history – dubbed by the media as "White Grange", it reached the front pages of Australia’s national newspapers.
Fruit selection is the critical element of Yattarna Chardonnay because it ultimately determines the character of the style. Although multi-vineyard and multi-regional sourcing includes New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria, there has been an increasing component of cool-climate Chardonnay from the Derwent Valley, Coal River and Central Highland in Tasmania.
"Penfolds Yattarna, the greatest white wine produced in the Southern Hemisphere, and one of the greatest in the whole world, was finally crowned as the Best White Wine of World. An absolutely delicious wine that will age beautifully for the next 10-15 years." BWW (Best Wine of the World Competition) 2021
The 2018 Yattarna was sourced from three different regions across three states; Tasmania (72%), Tumbarumba in NSW (22%) and Adelaide Hills in South Australia (6%). The Tasmania component was sourced predominantly from the Central Highlands and Coal River Valley, with a little from Derwent Valley. The wine was matured for eight months in French oak barriques (60% new).
"Very pale straw with lime green hues. On the nose a pedigreed stylistic first alert – subtle flint, more rock-flint than struck-match. A mist of limey citrus, curry leaf and hints of white peach. Quite an exotic ascent... no need to coax from glass via a vigorous swirl. Understated spoils of cool-climate, barrel-fermented chardonnay – a lovely waxiness, whiff of cashew, and subtle creaminess. A Southern-Hemisphere reflection extolling Burgundian restraint, temperament. The palate has substantial flavour coupled with a textural dynamic; mouth-filling, engulfing – opens up aka mid-symphony, no instrument idle. White stone fruits – just ripe nectarine and freshly-sliced peach, and the most subtle adornment of oak and zesty acidity. A wonderful line struts across the mid-palate, not brazenly, yet with real purpose/destination and persistence. Amplified innate potential; beautifully poised and defined. More? Enough will not be enough. Peak Drinking: Now – 2033." Penfolds
Expert reviews
"Penfolds Yattarna, the greatest white wine produced in the Southern Hemisphere, and one of the greatest in the whole world, was finally crowned as the Best White Wine of World. An absolutely delicious wine that will age beautifully for the next 10-15 years." BWW (Best Wine of the World Competition) 2021 - Best White Wine of World
"72% Tasmania (predominantly Central Highlands and Coal River Valley, with a little Derwent Valley), 22% Tumbarumba (for minerality and linearity), 6% Adelaide Hills (for richness); matured eight months in 60% new French oak barriques. An ultra-cool climate blend of Tasmania, Tumbarumba and Adelaide Hills fruit wastes no time in setting the terms of engagement with a wine of infinite class. The flinty/smoky aromas introducing an almost painful intensity on the mercurial palate, a celebration of white-fleshed stone fruits. It has made light work of 8 months in 100% new French oak. Struts its stuff without a care in the world. Drink by 2033." James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion - 99 points and White Wine of the Year and Chardonnay of the Year and Special Value Wine ★
"I love it when a wine shocks me, and while '18 Yattarna hasn’t the absolute tension or grandeur of the near-perfect 2017, this is a devastatingly alluring wine and it is already performing at a heightened pheromonal level. There is dreamy musk scattered liberally among the lusty fruit notes and at this stage of its life, it is already loving life at the same time as making Bin A look a little occluded. No doubt it will firm up and the gravitas gene will emerge, but for now, this is a hippy chick Yattarna, so grab it for a one-off whirl and then put it back in the cellar to gather its thoughts. There is a lovely cool edge to this wine which will keep it on the straight and not-so-narrow and I imagine that its best years will be at least six years down the track so please be patient." Matthew Jukes - 19+/20 points
"Pale gold. Intense flinty, lemon curd, white apricot and tonic water aromas with underlying vanilla grilled nut notes. Crisp yet creamy with supple lemon curd, grapefruit and stonefruit flavours, fine chalky textures, beautiful mid-palate viscosity and underlying flinty complexity. Finishes chalky/minerally with plentiful nectarine notes. A classic pure-fruited chardonnay with superb richness and precision. Delicious drinking; should develop even more interest with bottle age. Drink now to 2032." Penfolds Rewards of Patience tasting panel 2021 - 5/5 rating
"The 2018 Yattarna Chardonnay leads with marzipan and apple skins, white pepper, scratched citrus, crushed shells, saffron and sugared almonds. In the mouth, the wine is insanely silken and composed, like carded fleece, and the length of flavor feels interminable. This has aged what feels like about three seconds—it is timeless, ageless, restrained and long. Wow. If you can drink these wines from this age window and onward, you will be doing yourself the greatest service. This is a first-rate Chardonnay. 13% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink: 2024 - 2045." Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate - 98 points
"Senior Penfolds white wine maker Kym Schroeter has overseen a very engaging set in three distinctive chardonnay styles. The top shelf 2018 Yattarna is a stunner, a superior wine in every way with extraordinary oak integration given 60% new barrique maturation for eight months. It seems more to be about textural expression than flavour bombing and is one of the most sophisticated Penfolds chardonnays I've ever tasted on release." Tony Love - 98 points
"In these days of championing single region, exclusive vineyard and artisan maker, blends are too often derided, yet it remains that in the most dextrous of hands, a far-flung composition is capable of producing the finest result. Long overshadowed by the fanfare of the lauded red wine suite, Kym Schroeter has been integral to the Penfolds team for 34 years and has spent the second half of his time establishing himself as one of Australia’s geniuses of chardonnay. Yattarna 2018 is an exemplar of his craft and nothing short of his finest wine yet. Never have I tasted an Australian chardonnay that so intimately unites three very diverse regions, that envelops oak so seamlessly into its folds (and 60% new, no less), and that holds every nuance of lifted fragrance, pristine white fruits and tense, crystalline yet somehow calm Tasmanian acidity in suspended animation on a finish of astonishing line and length. In precision and poise, this is utterly breathtaking chardonnay. Yattarna 2018 not only surpasses the profound 2012 as the greatest white wine I have ever tasted from Penfolds, it’s one of the very finest ever conceived in this country." Tyson Stelzer - 98 points
"This is sourced from the same regions as the Bin 311 - Tasmania, Adelaide Hills, and Tumbarumba. Strikes with the immediate difference of a more flinty minerally and quince-like aroma with just a hint of fresh lime. The palate though is mesmerising. So delicate and poised, yet with such linear dimensions of extraordinary length. Persistent and relentless as it cuts a fine line to a very long finish. Wonderful expression of modern Aussie chardonnay." Ray Jordan, The West Australian – 97 points
"A model of beautifully integrated components and an exercise in good measure and balance. Bright citrus and sharp struck flint grab your attention as the fruit talks confidently, underpinned by dark, savoury notes. But it’s not a simple equation: tight Tasmanian fruit is augmented by luscious white peach notes from Tumbarumba and Adelaide Hills. The oak influence bites in places, then the fruit influence surges back. It’s quite a long, undulating journey, with more poise and assurance in its youth than most Yattarna predecessors." David Sly, Decanter – 97 points
Ken Gargett, World of Fine Wine - 97 points
"Tumbarumba and Tasmanian fruit in this vintage, with greater stretch across the palate than the 19A’s edgy carapace. Real vinosity, here! Broader aromas, too: orange blossom, citrus oil, cinnamon oak and a whiff of vanilla, toasted nut and brûlée at its centre. The finish, saline and taut, auguring well for a majestic life ahead. A delicious wine that strikes a pose for others to follow." Ned Goodwin MW - 97 points
"What it lacks in flamboyance it makes up for in finesse. This offers all the complexities you could ever want but if the Reserve Bin A is a water-balloon-above-the-doorway style then this is more of a treasure hunt in a chardonnay garden. Look and you’ll find flint, pear, nectarine, lime and cedar but what you notice more is the strength of the acidity and the startling carry of the finish. The word searing popped into mind. The finish here makes an impression, almost physically, and inspires pleasure, almost painfully. This wine’s waters are calm but we need to float out into them for at least a couple of years before dipping to cup and drink from them. Drink: 2022 - 2031+." Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front - 96+ points
"A blend of Tasmania, Tumbarumba and Adelaide Hills fruit, this has an intense, stony and mineral freshness with a flinty edge and a wealth of lemon sherbet, white peaches and crushed stones on the nose. Oak is deeply buried. The palate has such striking and intense depth. It’s layered and long and really asserts itself as the most complex and most powerful chardonnay in this release. The depth and pristine grade of fruit here are impressive. Deep, pithy finish. Drink over the next eight years. Screw cap." Nick Stock, JamesSuckling.com – 96 points
"Bright, light-yellow hue, youthfully undeveloped for its age, and the bouquet and palate follow the same theme. It's reserved and refined, youthful and fresh, the flavour already complex in its subtle way, combining nutty, toasty, various citrus fruits - especially lemon - and a hint of spice. Cashew nuts, creamy lees, the whole wine very tightly-composed and delicate yet tremendously long and bursting with potential. Drink: 2021–2038." Huon Hooke, The Real Review - 96 points
"Pale gold. Elegant style wine with high pitched nectarine, melon aromas with flinty complexity. Intense pure lime grapefruit nectarine flavours, fine loose knit al-dente/ chalky textures, lovely mid-palate richness, underlying savoury oak complexity and fresh persistent crunchy acidity. Expressive and pure fruited with superb vinosity and mineral length. Needs time to uncoil and further develop. An austere yet voluminous Chardonnay where less is more. A highly individual and expressive wine that needs a few years to develop more complexity and richness. Judging by the recent Penfolds Rewards of Patience tastings, the wine promises a lot more with further bottle age." Andrew Caillard MW - 96 points
Awards
BWW (Best Wine of the World Competition) 2021 - Best White Wine of World
White Wine of the Year - 2022 Halliday Wine Companion Awards
Chardonnay of the Year - 2022 Halliday Wine Companion Awards
Penfolds Rewards of Patience tasting panel 2021 - 5/5 rating
Special Value Wine – Halliday Wine Companion ★
Tasmania
Tasmania is a small island located below mainland Australia. It produces less than 1% of Australia’s wine but enjoys a global reputation as a leading producer of premium cool climate wines. It is prized for its top-class sparkling wine, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling.
Tasmania is home to more than 230 wineries across 7 wine regions*. The reigions Coal River Valley, East Coast, Pipers River and Tamar Valley produce around 90% of Tasmania's wine, while the other three regions Derwent Valley, Huon Valley and North West produce the remaining 10%. * Please note these 7 wine areas are considered here to be subregions of Tasmania to aid site navigation.
Tasmania is the coldest wine State in Australia. Its climate is temperate, with a distinct maritime influence from the Tasman Sea to the east, Bass Strait to the north and the Indian Ocean to the west. Summer days are temperate while winter sees some of the coldest temperatures in Australia. It's unique climate and soils combine to create ideal growing conditions for cool-climate grape varieties.