Reviews & Ratings

2021 Penfolds Chardonnay "Bin 311"

Winery: Penfolds

Vintage: 2021

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Bin 311"

Wine Category: Chardonnay

Grape blend: 100% Chardonnay

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Adelaide Hills/Tasmania

State or country: Australia

Price: $40

Cases produced: 2,060

KWG Score: 92.3 (based on 3 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (91)

Review date: September 24, 2022

Wine Review: This pale straw-colored Chardonnay opens with smoky oak, banana, and butter bouquet with hints of white peach and buttered popcorn. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied with integrated minerality. The mouthfeel is bright and mouthwatering. The flavor profile is toasted oak, cashew, and cantaloupe blend with notes of banana, lime, and honey. The finish is dry, and its flavors are nicely prolonged. The Tasting Panel would pair this Chard with toasted cheese ravioli with no sauce or with a fatty tuna sushi. Enjoy – KWGTP

Winemaker Notes: Color: Shimmering pale gold with green rim.
Nose: A wine living up to its moniker “baby Yattarna”, indeed the similarities are quite striking. Subtle hints of struck match; a distinctive flintiness that is a hallmark of modern Penfolds Chardonnays. Cool-climate aromatics abound white nectarine, grapefruit, light florals, and nashi pears. Fermentation and maturation in quality French oak barriques introduces intriguing spices, toasted almond/nougat, almond croissant, and brioche. French oak plays a crucial role by complementing the fruit, provides texture and barrel ferment characters, but in no way is overtly dominating.
Palate: Citrus flavors to the fore: juicy grapefruit segments dusted in sugar. Lemon zest grated over Lisbon lemon curd. The mid-palate is creamy and very textural. Cashew and nougat lurk in the background. The finish is as taught as a bow, with a zippy, mineral line of acid and a lovely mouthwatering phenolic grip. Fantastic to drink now but promises to develop even greater complexity with further careful maturation.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Penfolds 2021 Bin 311 Chardonnay.