2019 Shadowfax Macedon Ranges Chardonnay

2019 Shadowfax Macedon Ranges Chardonnay comes from three superb, unique sites: Midhill, Mt Macedon and Little Hampton. Good winter rains set up the soil moisture into the growing season. A dry spring followed, allowing full fruit set with good crop levels. Small consistent rains through the summer kept the vines growing and flavour and phenolic ripeness continued to accumulate.

Hand-harvested fruit was firmly whole bunch-pressed to impart some skin contact. Natural ferment occurred in new (24%) and older French barrels. The wine was left to age slowly on its ferment lees to add generosity. Every barrel was treated as is own entity, with some allowed to go through natural malolactic conversion to add further depth. After 11 months the wine was racked and filtered prior to bottling in February 2020.

The wine is light straw in colour, with a green hue and brilliant clarity. This distinctive Chardonnay bursts from the glass with white florals, grapefruit skin and nectarine fruit notes. Hints of lees derived cream add complexity, while a flick of mineral river stone lifts the fragrance. Lemon tart and grapefruit spill immediately onto the palate. Fruit flavours are augmented with wild ferment characters such as choux pastry and barrel spice complexity. The wine walks a tightrope, with sherbert acidity and lime pith falling off the side. A great example of cold-climate Macedon Ranges Chardonnay. – Al Timms, Shadowfax