Top: Yattarna being poured during The Rewards of Patience tastings in August 2019

After a long period of experimentation, the introduction of Bin 144 Yattarna Chardonnay named for the 144 winemaking trials required to perfect Penfolds flagship white wine 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. At the presentation of the Tucker Seabrook Perpetual Trophy at the 1997 Sydney Royal Wine Show , the late Len Evans, Chairman of Judges, described the wine as a revelation and a step forward for Australian chardonnay .

The 1997 Yattarna was the only vintage to be matured in 100 percent new oak. The level of new oak varies each year and is carefully matched to the expression of the fruit.

This reflects an evolution of winemaking perspectives, a more critical approach to cool-climate grape sourcing and how oak contributes to the style and aging capacity of Yattarna Chardonnay. Technical adaptations and refinements over two decades have led to a distinct Penfolds winemaking signature of pure fruits, flinty complexity, volume and mineral freshness.

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 reliance on the cool spectrum

of flavours derived from higher-altitude and lower-latitude vineyards. Hence why there is an increasing component of Derwent Valley, Coal River and Central Highland chardonnay from Tasmania.

Whole bunch pressing, barrel fermentation including use of wild yeasts, malolactic fermentation and yeast stirring (battonage) have also been important elements in creating a wine of superb fruit complexity, texture and mineral length.

The elegantly styled Penfolds Bin 144 Yattarna epitomises the finesse, restraint and character of modern Australian chardonnay. It is best enjoyed within a three- to 12-year time frame the wines benefit from some bottle age, but pre-2008 vintages may be overdeveloped with a loss of freshness. Expert cellaring conditions may extend the wine s longevity to some degree.

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