87 Points Robert Parker
The luxury-priced 1995 Chardonnay Yattarna (an Aborigine word meaning "little by little - gradually") is meant to be the finest white wine in Penfolds' portfolio. It appears to me that the winemakers/oenologists would be well-advised to cut back on their acid adjustments. This wine is impressively built, but it possesses extremely high acidity, which keeps the wine more compressed than it would be with less artificial additions. The light gold color is followed by excellent honeyed citrus/buttery flavors, searing acidity, medium to full body, and a short finish, much of it induced by the extremely high acidity. I do not understand this style of wine making, and can imagine many Francophiles recoiling at a wine with such a high acid profile. The wonderful raw materials have been suppressed by the wine's high acidity. It should continue to drink well for 4-5 years.
Source: Robert Parker (Robert Parker Wine Advocate) by Robert M. Parker, Jr. April, 1999
96 Points James Halliday
Glowing yellow-green; while the bouquet is undoubtedly complex and powerful, it has a subtlety and a smoothness which takes it separate and apart from all of the Trial and Reserve Bin whites previously released by Penfolds. The bouquet and palate have melon, fig, citrus and apple aromas and flavours with perfectly integrated and balanced oak. The word 'seamless' was invented for wines such as this. Drink to 2005.
Source: James Halliday. March, 1998
The luxury-priced 1995 Chardonnay Yattarna (an Aborigine word meaning little by little - gradually) is meant to be the finest white wine in Penfolds' portfolio. It appears to me that the winemakers/oenologists would be well-advised to cut back on their acid adjustments. This wine is impressively built, but it possesses extremely high acidity, which keeps the wine more compressed than it would be with less artificial additions. The light gold color is followed by excellent honeyed citrus/buttery flavors, searing acidity, medium to full body, and a short finish, much of it induced by the extremely high acidity. I do not understand this style of wine making, and can imagine many Francophiles recoiling at a wine with such a high acid profile. The wonderful raw materials have been suppressed by the wine's high acidity. It should continue to drink well for 4-5 years.Source: Robert Parker (Wine Advocate) April, 1999 by Robert Parker