2010 Tiers Vineyard Chardonnay

Some will say that it could do without all the oak. And it probably could. Then again, that would make it a completely different wine…

Textured and toasty, powerful and structured. Grapefruit, melon and yellow peach with a wicked mineral

Long, tightly focused and already very complex, with a waxy, creamy bouquet of grapefruit, melon and fresh vanilla oak backed by nuances of ginger and butterscotch. Underpinned by waxy and nutty complexity, its evenly ripened, juicy presence of melon and

This is a forthright and concentrated style of chardonnay, with plenty of sweet oak layered into the mix of yellow stone fruit aromas, some creamy nougat complexity too. The palate delivers restarined fruit that has been lavished with rich, sweet,

Earlier in the week, I hurriedly tasted the current releases of Tapanappa’s three single vineyard wines. All are worthy and exciting but I was especially drawn to this one. I have been looking forward to spending a bit more quality

A very fine, taught wine that needs coaxing but, like a good Cote de Beaune, builds characters the longer it’s in the glass. Profound, subtly powerful, with a haunting perfume of flowers, spices and citrus fruit.
97 / 100
Food:

The Tiers Vineyard – owned by Ann Croser – is 31 years old and sits at 450 metres above sea level. Its highly prized crop of chardonnay is divided between Tapanappa and Petaluma. Tapanappa takes its portion of the crop

A tightly wound, restrained and unevolved bouquet of pear, grapefruit, spring florals and very fine toasty oak; the palate is taut, with the vibrant acidity providing line to the latent power of the fruit within; long, refreshing, fine and resoundingly