Region and Vineyards
Tiers Vineyard lies in Piccadilly Valley, one of the highest and coolest pockets of Adelaide Hills, where a long growing season encourages slow flavour development while preserving naturally high acidity. The "1.5M" parcel is a distinctive replant within the original vineyard, designed to emphasise concentration and earlier, more complete ripening while retaining the site's hallmark freshness.
In 2003, a small section was replanted with French Bernard (Dijon) clones 76 and 95 on rootstocks, laid out on 1.5 m row spacing with a notably low fruiting wire at 0.5 m. This tight, precision-focused design shapes a subtly different expression from the original old vines across the road: fuller flavour, immediacy of fruit, and the same unmistakable Tiers grapefruit-edged finish. Bottled separately since 2015, the 2022 release was produced in very limited quantity.
Winemaking
Tapanappa Tiers Vineyard 1.5M Chardonnay 2022 is 100% Chardonnay, hand-harvested from the close-spaced 1.5M block in early April (6 and 7 April). The fruit was chilled to 2°C, then whole-bunch pressed using gentle air-bag presses to capture pristine, low-phenolic juice. After a settling stage in tank, the juice was transferred by gravity to French oak barriques for fermentation, with one third new oak.
Fermentation ran for around two months in cool autumn conditions, building aromatic definition and a fine-boned, lees-sculpted palate. The wine then matured in barrel on full lees until December 2022, before being racked clear and bottled in February 2023. The technical profile underlines the style: pH 2.98, total acidity 8.0 g/L, and 13.5% alcohol, supporting a creamy mid-palate with a distinctly grapefruit-cut, refreshing finish.
Tasting Notes
- Color: Buttercup green-yellow, bright and youthful.
- Aroma: White peach leads, with hints of brioche, cinnamon-vanilla oak, and a gentle yeast-derived creaminess that stays elegant rather than sweet.
- Palate: Intense, ripe yet fresh Chardonnay fruit with signature Tiers texture and "fruit sweetness," offset by brisk acidity and a decisive grapefruit-finishing cut. Exceptional length and poise.
Did you know?
The "1.5M" name is literal: it refers to the 1.5 m row spacing of this replant, a tightly engineered vineyard section established in 2003 with Dijon clones (76 and 95) and a very low fruiting wire. Since the 2015 vintage, Tapanappa has bottled this parcel separately to highlight its distinctive, earlier-ripening personality within the broader Tiers site.
Wine Pairing Ideas
- Roast chicken with lemon and pan juices: The wine's creamy breadth mirrors the roast richness, while its grapefruit-edged acidity lifts the dish and keeps the finish crisp.
- Seared scallops with beurre blanc: Leesy texture meets silky sauce, and the bright acid line brings precision and appetite-refreshing energy.
- Grilled lobster with brown butter: Subtle toast and spice echo the butter's nuttiness, while the citrus cut stops the pairing from feeling heavy.
- Aged Comté: Nutty, savoury notes resonate with the wine's brioche-oak complexity, and the long, dry finish cleans the palate beautifully.
