2003 Yattarna

Penfolds’ flagship dry white is the 2003 Chardonnay Yattarna. While early vintages of this cuvee could be too oaky (the wine sees about 55% new French oak), that component is now nicely blended with aromas of apple jam, a smoky nuttiness, and hints of honeyed grapefruit as well as marmalade. Rich, medium to full-bodied, and impressively endowed, it should be enjoyed over the next 2-3 years. Importer: Southcorp, PWG Vintners, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 258-8755

Pale, bright yellow. Powerful, leesy aromas of orange, tangerine, white peach, cinnamon toast and iodine. Very fresh and initially a bit wound up, but opens quickly to show firm, focused flavors of blood orange, lemon zest and sexy, toasty oak. A chewy, concentrated chardonnay that became richer and deeper with air, taking on more exotic fruit tones, notably peach, apricot and mango. A finishing note of toasty oak does not come at the expense of the wine's concentrated fruit.

Penfolds’ flagship dry white is the 2003 Chardonnay Yattarna. While early vintages of this cuvee could be too oaky (the wine sees about 55% new French oak), that component is now nicely blended with aromas of apple jam, a smoky nuttiness, and hints of honeyed grapefruit as well as marmalade. Rich, medium to full-bodied, and impressively endowed, it should be enjoyed over the next 2-3 years. Robert Parker, Oct 2006