Brian Croser is one of Australia’s most well known winemakers. Brian was a very influential consultant winemaker who started his own brand, Petaluma, back in 1976. This grew and was later purchased by Lion Nathan in 2001. After the loss of his own venture, he began a new project, Tapanappa, with its debut vintage 2003. This is the Chardonnay, made from the 4 hectare vineyard next to his home. It’s great to be able to drink a wine like this as it begins to enter its peak drinking zone, at age 7. It’s all very well trying fine wines in their infancy, but the key thing is to actually see where they go with a bit of age. And I reckon this has plenty of life in it yet.

Tapanappa Tiers Vineyard Chardonnay 2010 Piccadilly Valley, Adelaide Hills, Australia
13% alcohol. This is quite profound at age 7 and a bit. Screwcapped, which has probably helped preserve freshness. There’s some toasty depth and development, with crystalline citrus fruits and a lovely, fine lemony core. This shows great concentration as well as delicacy. There’s a strong mineral, spicy streak running under the fruit, as well as some riper pineapple and pear notes. Exquisite balance and intensity, and in a very nice place right now. Should continue to put on weight and complexity, but I like where it is right now. 95/100

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