1994 Penfolds Reserve Bin 94A Chardonnay

Notes sourced from Southcorp Wines.

This special wine was created as a result of Penfold's ongoing super-premium white wine development program, designed to culminate in the release of Australia's 'ultimate white wine'. From time to time, Penfolds will release limited quantities of 'one off' white wines under the Reserve Bin label. These wines, made from premium quality fruit, are the result of blending experiments, using small quantities of wine. For this project, attention has focussed on premium, cool climate viticultural areas of Australia, such as the Adelaide Hills.

The 1994 Penfolds Bin 94A shows all the attributes of a great wine and is the first to be released under the new Reserve Bin label. It is arguably the best yet released under this development program and will continue to evolve with bottle maturation. The wine was 100% barrel fermented in new, one and two- year old French oak barrels and matured for 10 months on lees. The entire blend underwent malolactic fermentation.

Excellent full medium straw-green colour. The complex bouquet shows attractive, honeyed bottle development and superb, concentrated peach and tropical fruit, integrated with a butterscotch and cashew nut barrel fermentation character from fine, tightly-grained, French oak and extended time on yeast lees. The palate is well structured and full bodied, showing definitive melon Chardonnay flavours with creamy butterscotch and soft, nutty barrel ferment and malolactic ferment influences. The wine features great palate length and beautifully balanced oak, finishing with crisp acidity. Whilst tempting and attractive now, this Chardonnay is destined to age gracefully and will only reach its peak after many years of correct cellaring. It is a superb food wine and a great match for full flavoured white meat and seafood dishes.Winner of 2 trophies & 1 Gold Medal. 13.5% alcohol volume.