Tapanappa Tiers Vineyard Chardonnay 2023

Tapanappa is the 21st century chapter of an adventure that pioneered the modern era of the Adelaide Hills wine region. Tapanappa is the name that Brian Croser has given to his ongoing family-owned, fine-wine enterprise based in the Piccadilly Valley where it began more than 40 years ago as Petaluma. The Tiers Vineyard was planted with Chardonnay in the Piccadilly Valley in 1979, and in every way is a “distinguished site”. It was the first vineyard planted in the Adelaide Hills thus pioneering the true cool climate wine industry of South Australia.

The Chardonnay crop was very modest in the Tiers old block at 3.3 tonnes/hectare. The grapes in the 42-year-old Tiers Vineyard ripened in still and cool air, sunny conditions, ideal autumnal weather and just before a rain event. Tiers Vineyard old block yielded up its exceptional quality fruit on the 12th and 13th of April, two weeks later than average and one of the latest ever.

The colour of 2023 Tiers is pale lemon. The aroma displays characters reflective of this cool year with subtle, aromatic apple and pear with honey and lemon, complexed by yeast, cashew and oak spice. The flavour is intense and fresh with a lingering acidity. The taut edge of acid and the slight astringency and bitterness of the grapefruit finish, perfectly offset the fruit and texture that are the hallmarks of fruit from this vineyard. 2023 Tiers Chardonnay is a very cool vintage of a unique wine defined by the truly distinguished Tiers Vineyard terroir.

If Tiers 1.5m Chardonnay hails from the “new” block of French Bernard clones planted in 2003, fruit for this Tiers Chardonnay is off the “old” block, the original block established in 1979. A cool vintage and low yields bring good concentration, but what really characterises the wine is its open and inviting summery bounce and energy. It rocks. Orange and citrus blossom aromatics, a hint of honeysuckle join aromas of apple, citrus, grapefruit, white peach and spice. Lemony bright acidity rules the palate, enticing tastebuds and melding with lemon sorbet, zest, stone fruit and a distinctive quince tang against a nougat warm and buttery texture. Layer upon layer of concentrated flavour . . . and bounce. - Jeni Port, Wine Pilot, 95 Points.

Lighty toasted cashewnut aroma, hints of vanilla and almond-meal, the palate refined and tense, concentrated and yet seamlessly textured and composed. The wine is very smooth and rounded, with plenty of acidity but you barely feel it. Lovely depth of flavour and balance. Nigh-invisible oak; long carry. Superb chardonnay. - Huon Hooke, The Real Review, 96 Points.

The Finer Details
Style - White Wine
Varietal -  Chardonnay
Country - Australia
Region - Piccadilly Valley, South Australia
Vintage - 2023
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 12.9%