This year's Decanter World Wine Awards Regional Trophy for Australian Chardonnay over £15 went to Penfolds, Yattarna Chardonnay, Tasmania 2011 (13%)
Tasted against:
- Hardys, Heritage Reserve Bin Chardonnay 2012
- Juniper,Chardonnay, Margaret River, Western Australia 2012
- Montalto, Chardonnay, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria 2012
- Penfolds, ReserveBin A Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills, South Australia 2010
- Vasse Felix, Heytesbury Chardonnay, Margaret River, Western Australia 2012
- Vasse Felix, Chardonnay, Margaret River, Western Australia 2012
- Windows Estate, Chardonnay, Margaret River, Western Australia 2012
Profile:
When Penfolds launched Yattarna in 1998 with its 1995 vintage, there was lots riding on its success. The company had been renowned for its red and fortified wines since the 1950s but what was missing was a super-premium white that could be spoken of in the same breath as the senior ‘bin’ wines.
Inevitably, during the 144 trials to determine a winning formula, there were whispers of the progress of ‘white Grange’. Aware of the hype, Penfolds opted to call their wine Yattarna – meaning ‘little by little, gradually’. Seventeen vintages in, they appear to be well on track to achieving their objective with this Trophy winner.
Senior white winemaker Kym Schroeter is a third-generation Penfold’s winemaker and has responsibility for Yattarna. He says Tasmania’s cool climate is key, providing tight, focused fruit from its sandy loam soils. In line with Penfolds’ philosophy of regional blending, a small proportion of fruit is drawn from the Adelaide Hills – 1,000km away.
Written by Decanter
