Critic ratings
robert_parker
2021
Rating:
97
–97
The 2021 vintage in the Adelaide Hills was cool in the context of the region, and the 2021 Reserve Bin A Chardonnay is imbued with a delicacy and laciness, bedded down on a base of crushed nuts and exotic spice. There is white peach, green apple, brine, a hint of curry leaf and layers of orchard fruit. The acidity is fine and citrus driven... pithy and subtle. Largely made from Bernard Clones 95 and 96, the wine matured for nine months in 50% new French oak. The vineyard sourcing for this wine is trending closer and closer to the Piccadilly Valley. Clocking in at a minute 12.5% alcohol (on the label, that is, but Peter believes it's more like 12.3% or 12.4%), the wine has volume and generosity, without weight or density. It billows in the mouth but is inordinately restrained, sophisticated and polished. A brilliant wine that showcases the excellent vintage.
robert_parker
2022
Rating:
98
–98
The 2022 Reserve Bin A Chardonnay is saturated with salted yellow fruits in the mouth. There are notes of saffron and cumin, fresh shaved cardamon and cinnamon bark, with scratched citrus peel and brine. A beautiful wine, it is distinct and flinty, curvaceous and yet taut. It spools effortlessly through the long finish. This is super. 12.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
robert_parker
2021
Rating:
97
–97
The 2021 Reserve Bin A Chardonnay—or 21A—is refined, spicy and tense, with pure fruit and very fine phenolics that course over the palate. This is saturated and intense, utterly concentrated and supremely spicy. It is classy as hell. This is a brilliant wine that will age slowly and gracefully for many years to come. 12.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
robert_parker
2017
Rating:
96
–96
The 2017 Reserve Bin A Chardonnay is in the prime drinking window, as far as my palate is concerned. It is svelte and composed, powerful and very long, with pineapple lumps, shaved fennel, star anise, cinnamon bark, crushed shells and Pink Lady apples. It is a profound wine that is evolving at a glacial pace. It is unreal. 12.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
robert_parker
2023
Rating:
95
–95
The 2023 Reserve Bin A Chardonnay is aromatically tight and ungiving—far less reductive, toasty and expressive than previous releases of this great wine. Perhaps it is still suffering from its recent bottling? On the palate, this is toasty and concentrated and yet still closed. The citrus flow of flavor intersects with the tight acidity, and this reveals the Adelaide Hills origin. While there is density here, it remains structurally quite fine and firm. It matured for seven months in French barriques, 60% new and 30% one year old. It was bottled with 12.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.07 and 6.7 grams per liter of total acidity, sealed under screw cap.
If I were to open a bottle of this, I might like to wait until the fourth quarter of 2024. Give it every chance—I love this wine, and it ages gracefully. I look forward to doing just that.
robert_parker
2015
Rating:
93
–93
The 2015 Reserve Bin A Chardonnay from Adelaide Hills has citrusy, grapefruit and white peach notes with an undercurrent of candied ginger, allspice, marmite, struck match and baking bread. Light to medium-bodied, the palate is still very tightly wound at this youthful stage, offering a glimpse at very fine, intense and minerally flavors, finishing with great poise and depth.
robert_parker
2016
Rating:
92
–92
The 2016 Reserve Bin A Chardonnay opens with lovely baking bread, honeyed toast and marzipan notes with a core of apricots, melon and pink grapefruit. Medium-bodied, the palate has great elegance and expression, with pretty citrus and mineral accents and a nice phenolic texture, finishing long and lively.
robert_parker
2012
Rating:
92
–92
The 2012 Reserve Bin A Chardonnay reveals a gorgeous, tropical and apricot-scented nose embellished by a judicious touch of oak, some sulfides and a nice touch of nuttiness. Light to medium-bodied, the palate is crisp and tight-knit around mineral and citrus flavors through the long finish. Drink 2014 to 2018+.
Imported by Treasury Wine Estates, Napa, CA
robert_parker
2013
Rating:
91
–91
The 2013 Reserve Bin A Chardonnay opens with tons of apricot, mango and lemon curd notes infused with touches of sulfides plus some cashew and toast accents. Showing great intensity and elegance on the medium-bodied frame, it is enlivened by racy acid through the long, mineral-laced finish.
