Tapanappa Tiers 1.5m Vineyard Chardonnay 2025

Brian Croser has noted the 2025 vintage as the warmest, driest and earliest in his career, a career which stretches back for more than fifty years. However, any concerns that his iconic Chardonnays from the Tiers Vineyard would not reflect the typicity that they have come to enjoy over many years has been put to rest. The section of the Tiers Vineyard which was replanted in 2003 on 1.5 metre spacing ripens earlier than the older vines, the reminder of the Tiers. Fermentation was in French oak barriques, 1/3rd of them new. The wine was then left on lees before bottling. 575 dozen made. The colour is a shimmering yellow gold. The nose reveals ripe, full flavours of stone fruits, with nectarines, peaches, hints of honeycomb and hazelnuts, florals and jasmine. There is noticeable oak but integration is proceeding well. The wine has superb balance and real intensity with great persistence. It will surely still be providing immense pleasure in a decade. Love it.