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White wine | South Eastern Australia
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The Penfolds Bin 311 Chardonnay is a testament to the winery's philosophy of sourcing the finest cool-climate fruit to create a style defined by elegance, minerality, and vibrant acidity. Often referred to as a 'Junior Yattarna' due to the inclusion of declassified parcels from Penfolds' flagship Chardonnay, this wine has evolved from a single-region expression to a sophisticated multi-regional blend, drawing from renowned Australian cool-climate districts such as the Adelaide Hills, Tumbarumba, and Tasmania.
Upon pouring, the wine displays a brilliant light straw color with subtle green hues. The nose is immediately inviting, offering a complex aromatic profile of citrus fruits—specifically grapefruit and lemon—intertwined with white peach and a characteristic hint of struck flint, which adds a distinctively modern, savoury edge. On the palate, it strikes a perfect balance between richness and restraint. Initial impressions of nectarine and cured lemon are complemented by a creamy, textural mouthfeel derived from barrel fermentation and time spent on yeast lees in seasoned French oak. This richness is held in check by a taut, mineral-laden acid backbone that provides propulsion and energy, leading to a long, precise, and mouth-watering finish.
This is a versatile food-pairing wine. Its combination of creamy texture and sharp, citrus-driven acidity makes it an ideal companion for delicate seafood dishes, such as grilled scallops, pan-seared white fish, or lobster with butter sauce. It also pairs beautifully with roast chicken, creamy pasta dishes, or a curated cheese platter featuring nutty, hard cheeses like Manchego or aged Parmesan. Whether enjoyed now for its primary fruit intensity or cellared for a few years to allow more complex secondary characters to emerge, the Penfolds Bin 311 remains one of the finest and most consistent value-driven cool-climate Chardonnays in Australia. It is a sophisticated, polished, and thoroughly modern interpretation of the varietal, crafted for those who appreciate the interplay of fruit purity and skilled winemaking.