2021 Shadowfax Midhill Chardonnay

Sourced from the Midhill Vineyard in the Macedon Ranges. A very cool summer and mild autumn led to a very long growing season. This vineyard near Romsey is 540m above sea level, was planted in 1993 in deep red alluvial soils. Grapes ripened late in the season with full flavour and phenolic ripeness. Fruit was hand picked in small batches in pristine condition.

Hand harvested fruit was firmly whole bunch pressed to impart some skin contact to release the full flavour profile and impart some phenolic texture. Natural ferment occurred in new (50%) and older French Hoggs Head and puncheon barrels. The wine was left to unwind and 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 fermentation to add further depth. After 11 months the wine was racked and filtered prior to bottling in February 2022.