2021 Shadowfax Macedon Ranges Chardonnay

Fruit for the 2021 Shadowfax Macedon Ranges Chardonnay is grown on the Little Hampton, Midhill and Mt Macedon vineyards. A cool spring in the Macedon Ranges set medium-sized crops. A very cool summer and mild autumn led to a very long growing season. The 740m-high Little Hampton site has extra cool nights, helping to retain natural acidity in grapes that ripened late in the season with full flavour and phenolic ripeness. The Chardonnay was handpicked in small batches in the second week of May.

The grapes were firmly pressed as whole bunches to impart some skin contact and phenolic texture, releasing the full flavour profile in the process. Natural fermentation kicked off in new (28%) and older French barrels. The wine was left to unwind slowly on its ferment lees to add generosity. Every barrel was treated as its 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. Alcohol 13.4%; pH 3.31; TA 8.5g/L.

This distinctive Macedon Ranges Chardonnay bursts from the glass with white floral notes, lemon curd and nectarine fruit notes. Hints of lees-derived nougat, cream and fresh bagel notes are complemented toasty oak notes. The perfume is persistent and intriguing, belying the complex and powerful wine beneath. Lemon zest and tangerine spill immediately onto the palate. These fruit flavours are augmented by wild-ferment characters such as choux pastry and barrel-spice complexity. The wine walks a tightrope, with sherbet acidity and lime pith on a flowing palate that is long and intense. – Al Timms, Shadowfax