Product Information:
The 2022 Tapanappa Tiers Vineyard Chardonnay showcases the exceptional quality that the Tiers Vineyard continues to produce, building on the legacy of previous vintages. This year’s release reflects a near-perfect growing season, with warm, dry conditions throughout the summer and a cool, gentle autumn that allowed the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly. The result is a wine that combines the hallmark richness and texture of the Tiers Vineyard with a remarkable level of finesse and precision.
The bouquet opens with bright citrus notes of lemon and lime, layered with ripe stone fruit, including peach and nectarine, along with hints of roasted cashew and subtle oak spice. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied yet incredibly balanced, offering vibrant fruit intensity paired with a creamy texture that is typical of the Tiers style. The wine’s fine acidity provides a refreshing lift, cutting through the richness, leading to a long, clean finish that carries notes of citrus zest and flint. This is a Chardonnay that is immediately appealing yet possesses the structure and depth to evolve beautifully with time.
Hand-harvested from the Tiers Vineyard’s 1979-planted block, the grapes were carefully chilled to preserve their freshness before being gently pressed. The juice was then fermented in French oak barriques (33% new) for two months, allowing the wine to develop complexity and depth. After fermentation, the wine was aged on full lees for several months before being racked and bottled in early 2023.
Maker:
Tapanappa is the culmination of a journey that has helped shape the modern Adelaide Hills wine scene. It was founded by Brian Croser, the visionary behind Petaluma, which he established as one of the region’s first and finest wineries. After Petaluma was taken over by corporate giant Lion Nathan in 2001, the Crosers retained ownership of their family home and the iconic Tiers Chardonnay vineyard at the original site.
In 2002, Brian and his wife Ann established Tapanappa in partnership with the Cazes family of Château Lynch-Bages (Bordeaux) and Bollinger Champagne. The French partners remained with Tapanappa until 2014, when the Crosers regained full control of the Piccadilly Valley winery and cellars. With the 2015 vintage, they revitalized the winery, marking the beginning of a new chapter for Tapanappa.
Today, Tapanappa operates as a family-run business, with Brian’s daughter Lucy and her husband Xavier Bizot managing the winery. Their son-in-law Sam Barlow oversees winemaking. Tapanappa’s wines are distributed across Australia by Terroir Selections, a company co-founded by Lucy and Xavier.
The Philosophy:
The name "Tapanappa" is derived from the 550-million-year-old geological formation beneath the Fleurieu Peninsula, where the Croser family also owns the Foggy Hill vineyard. Tapanappa means "sticking to the path" in the local Aboriginal language, reflecting the philosophy that has guided Brian Croser’s vineyard selection process. By matching climate, soil, and geology to the right grape varieties, Brian has crafted wines that are true expressions of their unique terroirs.
The Tiers Vineyard, planted with Chardonnay in 1979, is one of the most distinguished sites in Australia. Located in the Piccadilly Valley, it helped pioneer the cool-climate wine industry in South Australia. The Foggy Hill vineyard, planted with Pinot Noir in 2003 on the Fleurieu Peninsula, produces wines of great character and depth. For more robust reds, Tapanappa’s Whalebone Vineyard, in Wrattonbully, is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, making use of ancient soils where a 35-million-year-old whale skeleton was discovered.
NOSE
Lemon, Nectarine, Roasted Cashew
The nose opens with vibrant lemon and lime aromas, layered with ripe nectarine and a hint of roasted cashew. Subtle oak spice and a touch of flinty minerality round out the bouquet.
PALATE
Citrus, Stone Fruit, Silky Texture
Full-bodied yet elegant, the palate is rich with citrus and stone fruit flavours, including peach and nectarine, complemented by a creamy, silky texture. The vibrant acidity keeps the wine fresh and well-balanced.
FINISH
Citrus Zest, Flint, Light Oak
The finish is clean, long, and refreshing, with lingering notes of citrus zest and flinty minerality, enhanced by a subtle oak influence.
While the 1.5m Chardonnay sibling is arguably more impressive on release, this is resinous and latent with multitudinous layers of flavour compressed by classy oak and juicy acidity. I like the way the fruit is subdued in a quasi-burgundian fashion, with power packed behind. It will come. And it does. With air. Raw almond, hazelnut, quinine and Japanese radish. The barest hint of stone fruit. A long, saline linger. Give this time, for it is among the country's greats. - Ned Goodwin, Halliday Wine Companion, 97 Points.
The Finer Details
Style - White Wine
Varietal - Chardonnay
Country - Australia
Region - Piccadilly Valley, South Australia
Vintage - 2022
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13.8%
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