2021 Bin 311 Chardonnay

Translucent straw-yellow. Lively, mineral-accented Meyer lemon and pear scents show fine clarity, and hints of fennel and sweet butter emerge in the glass. Minerally and precise, offering tightly focused orchard and citrus fruit flavors and a deeper suggestion of honeydew melon that emerges on the back half. Shows very good energy and finishes silky, taut and long, with a suave floral nuance lingering. Made from a blend of fruit grown in Tasmania and Adelaide Hills.

Sourced from Adelaide Hills and Tasmania. Aged nine months in French oak barriques (38% new). Lean and light, less fruit intensity on the nose than recent vintages, from memory. Leesy texture, bright acid, fresh and savoury. More skeletal than fleshy. (RH)

The Bin 311 Chardonnay is a multi-regional blend—all cool areas—and over time, the style has evolved from staunchly no new oak, to now a proportion of new oak (in 2021, 38%). The 2021 Bin 311 Chardonnay is toasty and creamy—a confluence of crushed cashew, pink grapefruit, yellow peach, red apple skins and apricot kernel. This is balanced and complete, a wine resplendent with polished phenolics, bright fruit and texture that starts from the very first and lingers through the long finish. Excellent.