To explain the 1.5m labelling:

“In 2003 the Croser family removed 1.3 hectares of the original Tiers Vineyard Chardonnay (planted in 1979 in the Piccadilly Valley as the first Adelaide Hills vineyard). The area was replanted with the French Bernard clones 76 and 95 on rootstocks on very close 1.5 metre row spacing with the fruiting wire at only 0.5 metres above the ground. This unique vineyard section produces earlier ripening, fuller flavoured Chardonnay than the 1979 old vine Chardonnay on own roots across the centre road in Tiers Vineyard. So unique is this small area of Chardonnay that we made the decision to bottle it separately from the 2015 vintage onwards.”

2024, though slightly warmer continued a run of cool vintages. French oak barriques (1/3 new) for fermentation (2 months through Autumn). Barrel aged on full lees until October 2024, before racking off and then a November bottling.

Tapanappa, Tiers Vineyard, 1.5m, Chardonnay, Piccadilly Valley, 2024

Pale lemon colour with green highlights. Class and nuance. White stone fruit, brioche, lemon/lime citrus, wet quartz stones, Pomme (apple to pear) flesh sprinkled with cinnamon spice, white choc dipped honeycomb, white florals, ozone and sea spray. Potency with precision. A distinct savoury undertone with grippy, drying phenolics and an undeniable intensity. It’s tense, tight and built for the ages.

RRP: $90
Alc: 13.7%
Rating: 95/100

Wine sample courtesy of Tapanappa