Tapanappa Tiers Chardonnay 2018

The Tapanappa Tiers Chardonnay has been a leading light for ageworthy South Australian Chardonnay with the best examples drinking best after a decade or more. 2018 was a warm vintage but the wine does not show it with a typical bright acid line, highly complex fruit and immaculate winemaking.

The wine is pale gold and immediately displays superb complexity. There is concentrated citrus and melon fruits supported by smoky oak with a struck match flinty edge. The wine is silky on the palate with perfectly balanced fruit and acidity – multiple layers of praline and almond meal are completed by subtle oak. It finishes with fantastic purity of Chardonnay fruit plus great length, poise and balance. Delicious now young but will also hold for close to a decade.