Product Information:
The Bin 311 Chardonnay is multi-region Chardonnay that truly reflects the winemakers’ mantra ‘we always go where the fruit grows best and where it best suits style’. Bin 311 was first vintaged in 2005. True to House Style, Bin 311 Chardonnay takes advantage of the classification system and flow down of high-grade fruit, including material initially earmarked for Yattarna Chardonnay. The style is not based on terroir, but on a high altitude/low latitude cool-climate fruit profile.
In 2018, fruit sourcing moved to multi-regional cool-climate regions; 43% Adelaide Hills, as well as Tumbarumba and Tasmania. In true Bin 311 style, it exhibits lemon/lime aromas and a mineral acid backbone, complemented by barrel fermentation and maturation in seasoned oak. Minimal filtration is employed, preserving elegant fruit flavours.
This wine is light straw in colour. The nose is full of flavour cover the full spectrum of citrus, grapefruit and white peach. Hints of sherbet, camomile and goats cheese complex the aromatic offer – a chardonnay cast assembled from three States of Australia. The palate first and foremost, on this wine extolls freshness, yet not at the expense of an endearing richness and generosity of flavour. Whilst some may perceive it to be slightly ‘larger-framed’ than in previous years it nevertheless retains trademark Bin 311 mineral acidity and linearity. Rockmelon and white peach fruits are pronounced. Underlying sherbet and fresh lemon tart impressions coupled with a lovely creaminess add to the structural and flavour pool. As always the Bin 311 Chardonnay is outstanding value for its class.
Maker:
Penfolds has been a pioneer in the world of winemaking since its establishment in 1844 by Dr. Christopher and Mary Penfold. The company's success has been driven by a lineage of visionary winemakers who have pushed the development of the company to extraordinary, bold new heights. Mary Penfold's reign at the helm of Penfolds saw years of determination and endeavour, experimenting with new methods in wine production. In 1948, Max Schubert became the company's first Chief Winemaker and he propelled Penfolds onto the global stage with his experimentation of long-lasting wines - the creation of Penfolds Grange in the 1950s. Soon, the medals began flowing, and Grange quickly became one of the most revered wines around the world. In 2012, Penfolds released its most innovative project to date - 12 handcrafted ampoules of the rare 2004 Kalimna Block Cabernet Sauvignon. Today, Penfolds continues to hold dear the philosophies and legends that have driven the company's success since its establishment in 1844.
Vineyards:
The 2018 Bin 311 showcases cool climate chardonnay from three of Penfolds favourite regions for this noble varietal, Adelaide Hills, Tumbarumba and Tasmania. All three regions enjoyed a relatively wet winter and spring which set the vines up well for the growing season. Tumbarumba had good rainfall right up to December, when a dry spell set in, while February temperatures were quite cool allowing for slow, consistent ripening. The Adelaide Hills had a very hot finish to the growing season with several heat spikes in January. Tasmania enjoyed clear and warm conditions over fruit set from January with no extreme heat days during the lead up to vintage. Harvest was an orderly affair, with grapes ripening evenly across the three regions. The grapes showed strong varietal character with desirable acidity.
Nose - White Tropical Fruit, Toasty, Nutty
Fine roasted aromas, white tropical fruit, fresh pineapple, floral note.
Palate - Delicate Caramel, Some Oak, Vanilla Pods
Medium complexity, white apple, fine acidity, delicate caramel, balanced and already easy to drink, a versatile food wine.
Finish - Juicy, Savoury, Salty Finish
Originally needed time to build more interest, now really coming into its own, complex with a creamy dry finish.
Toast, ginger, grapefruit. A bold, assertive introduction. I’m not seeing a lot of finesse but I’m seeing work, fruit, vanilla pods, a certain tautness, fruit wading through trees. There are matchstick characters here, not flared, held beneath the toast. Not my favourite 311 but no doubt still a very good one. - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, 93 Points.
Bright green-yellow, silver reflections. Fine roasted aromas, white tropical fruit, fresh pineapple, floral note. Medium complexity, white apple, fine acidity, delicate caramel, balanced and already easy to drink, a versatile food wine, salty finish. - Falstaff, 93 Points.
Light yellow hue and a nutty, toasty nose, showing some oak, while the palate is very dry and savoury, rather simple and unevolved, but has decent depth of flavour, weight and length. It just needs time to build some more interest. Nice dry finish. - Huon Hooke, The Real Review.
43% Adelaide Hills, plus Tumbarumba and a bit of Tasmania. 10 months in French oak barriques (30% new, 20% one-year-old, 50% seasoned). They have gone from one to three single-vineyard regions. The 2018 Bin 311 showcases cool-climate Chardonnay from three of Penfolds favourite regions for this varietal: Adelaide Hills, Tumbarumba and Tasmania. All three regions enjoyed a relatively wet winter and spring which set the vines up well for the growing season. Tumbarumba had good rainfall right up to December, when a dry spell set in, while February temperatures were quite cool allowing for slow, consistent ripening. The Adelaide Hills had a very hot finish to the growing season with several heat spikes in January. Tasmania enjoyed clear and warm conditions over fruit set from January with no extreme heat days during the lead up to vintage. Harvest was an orderly affair, with grapes ripening evenly across the three regions. The grapes showed strong varietal character with desirable acidity. A little bit of oak still in evidence. Lots of juice and freshness. Seems just the right amount of fruit and acid – though not that obviously cool climate to a European palate. Nicely accessible. Good value relative to the other Chardonnays in this collection. - Jancis Robinson.
The Finer Details
Style - White Wine
Varietal - Chardonnay
Vintage - 2018
Country - Australia
Region - Adelaide Hills, Tumbarumba, Tasmania
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13%
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