Penfolds : Bin 311 Chardonnay 2025

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for Penfolds Bin 311 Chardonnay 2025

Tasting notes

Colour

The wine shows a very pale straw-yellow hue with delicate green highlights, the hallmark of young cool-climate Chardonnays.

Nose

The nose is vibrant and precise, first revealing aromas of pear and herbaceous notes reminiscent of lemongrass and Thai basil. Citrus then takes over, with touches of yuzu, lime and makrut lime leaf, before giving way to more indulgent nuances of lemon curd and lightly caramelised vanilla. A pronounced minerality, evoking wet stone and a saline touch, completes this rich, layered bouquet.

Palate

The palate is finely chiselled and energetic, driven by custard apple and citrus flavours, enriched by a creaminess from lees ageing that recalls the texture of soft yoghurt. More savoury notes, between radish and a subtle vegetal touch, along with a wet-stone minerality, add definition to the palate. The finish stretches out with a taut acidity that carries chalky phenolics over a remarkable length, while the perfectly integrated oak contributes to the texture without ever dominating.

Food and wine pairing

This Chardonnay will pair beautifully with fish and seafood, especially simply prepared (grilled, steamed, as carpaccio or sashimi), as well as light Asian cuisine that plays on freshness and aromatic herbs. It will also match very well with roast poultry served with light sauces, or vegetarian dishes based on green vegetables and citrus.

A taut, precise Australian Chardonnay, signature of the Penfolds style

The estate

Officially founded in 1844 at Magill Estate, near Adelaide, by Dr Christopher Rawson Penfold and his wife Mary, Penfolds has established itself as one of the world's most renowned wine houses. Now part of Treasury Wine Estates, this Australian estate upholds a philosophy of multi-regional sourcing and a unique blending expertise, embodied by iconic cuvées such as Grange. Renowned for its culture of innovation, Penfolds remains true to its founding spirit while shining internationally, notably with viticultural projects in China.

The vintage

Winter 2025 brought sufficient rainfall to replenish the soil water reserves in the New South Wales region, while a generally mild spring encouraged even flowering and fruit set. In Tumbarumba, altitude tempered summer temperatures, extending ripening and enhancing the tension of the grapes. A summer without excessive heat, together with a harvest carried out in cool, dry conditions, allowed for a precise picking, preserving the aromatic clarity of the fruit.

Winemaking and ageing

This wine is crafted from grapes grown in Tumbarumba, New South Wales. After fermentation, it is aged for eight months in French oak barrels, 23% of which are new, a choice that favours texture over an overly pronounced oak influence. This ageing is accompanied by lees work that gives the wine its creamy dimension, while preserving the purity and tension sought.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay.