PENFOLDS RESERVE BIN 08A CHARDONNAY 2008

- Adelaide Hills, SA

- $66-$90

- Screwcap

- 13.0%alc

The Reserve Bin A Chardonnay represents Penfolds' most ardent attempt at a super premium, single region white wine. In a sense, if Yattarna Chardonnay equates to white Grange, then Bin A Chardonnay must equate to being the white RWT (WWT?).

Profoundly worked yet savoury, complex and openly fragrant, Penfolds' Bin 08A announces a deeply hedonistic bouquet that combines peach fuzz and white nectarine fruit aromas with toasty, nutty oak and richly scented leesy, cheesy malolactic and barrel ferment notes. Projecting utter opulence from first touch, its very full, smooth mouthfeel expresses a bold and funky palate absolutely loaded with a complex marriage of fresh, savoury oak and creamy, mineral fruit nuances, which drive with stunning richness in what's practically a tidal wave of flavour. It's absurdly rich, deeply flavoured, long and fat, but if its creamy (yet somewhat austere) acids tightened up a fraction more on the finish it would rate rate even higher.

ü+ If you're a red wine drinker obsessed with big Barossa shiraz, then this could be the best white you ever drink. At this time of year, don't even think about putting it in the fridge. Complex, spectacular and excessive to the nth degree. Drink to 2015.

96 points

www.penfolds.com