2021 Tapanappa Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay

Brian Croser describes the 2021 vintage in the Piccadilly Valley as near perfect. Sourced from 37 year old vines the modest crop was fermented in French oak barriques (one third new) and matured in the same barrels on full lees.
Brilliant pale straw colour with highlights of green around the edges and a watery hue. Delightful scents of white peach and nectarine are intermeshed with light dried honey, citrus, biscuity oak and faint gun flint notes. Rich fleshy white peach and nectarine fruits carry great balance between freshness and texture. Lurking in the background and providing additional complexity are dried honey, biscuity oak, citrusy nougat and gun flint elements. Refined and concentrated it finishes with a long gently creamed aftertaste.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14%

Other Reviews….
If you’re into statistics, and detailed weather information, then Brian Croser is the man for you. Being English, and specifically Northern English, anyone who knows me well will know that weather observation is a wonderful source of interest for me.
Classic Hills Chardonnay, is probably a good way to describe it. It has flavour and fruit, and an underlying savoury character. Cashew and peach, aniseed, cinnamon and cedar oak, ripe grapefruity acidity, a little chalkiness to texture, and a nutty juicy peach and spiced pear flavour carrying on long clean finish. So excellent. Drink 2022-2028.
94+ points
Gary Walsh – The Wine Front