2022 Weaver Single Vineyard Lenswood Chardonnay

Grapes were picked into crates and pre-chilled fruit to below 5 deg C for whole bunch pressing. Juice was settled and racked to barrels with light solids for fermentation. All barrels were left on lees for 12 months and 2 barrels innoculated for malolactic ferment. 12 months in French oak barriques. All from forests in the centre of France and Vosges. 44% new oak and balance second use. Malolactic 22% malolactic fermentation.

A wine of finesse and lovely depth of flavour. Although tight and restrained in its youth it will slowly build in complexity and richness. The emphasis is on primary, fruit derived flavours. Stelvin will ensure the wine remains fresh and lively for many years.

Fresh, fine, complex and understated aromas with subtle cream, nuts and peach overtones. Palate; Crisp and tight with a supple mid palate with drying savoury faint textural edge at the finish. Fresh and delicate with a generous mid palate. Lovey fine acid finish. – Geoff Weaver

I spent a few hours with Geoff Weaver last Thursday, tooling round his Lenswood property on a some sort of all-terrain diesel golf cart kind of thing, and it was a lovely experience. Has a few stories to tell does the affable Geoff, and gee, he can talk, though unlike many (myself included) there’s a goldmine of information and experience to be sifted through, and I was richer for the experience. Weaver is one of the pioneers of the Adelaide Hills, this vineyard being established in 1982. Tasted alongside the 2021, and while both are wonderful wines, the 2022 has more concentration and length, tighter too, with a certain finesse to go with that.

White peach, citrus, almond, light biscuit spice, a tiny amount of struck match. This is bright and firm, but also has a gentle creaminess, flinty grip and a finish of super length. Flavour with restraint. It’s all just so, and delivers an outstanding example of Hills Chardonnay. 95 points. Gary Walsh, The Winefront Jan 2025