Chardonnay
Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay 2023
Aiming for elegance, restraint and the ability to age, acid is bright and there’s generosity of flavour. Typically it shows white flowers, citrus, and nectarine notes. A flavourful and intense Chardonnay, with lovely ginger and orange zest notes as well as nectarine flavours. A vintage to age, and to drink straight away.
Shaw + Smith own three vineyards in the Adelaide Hills, at Balhannah, Lenswood and Piccadilly, totalling 59 hectares. The vineyards are planted to varieties that perform particularly well in the region, namely Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Shiraz.
Another cooler than average season with some influence from La Niña weather patterns. The season
was cool to begin with, which meant a smaller crop formed during fruitset. Then it was a mild summer that
warmed up towards the end, adding flavour and ripeness to the fresh acidity.
Hand-picked grapes are pressed as whole bunches, and then squeezed gently but firmly in an air-bag press. The juice goes into barrels made of the finest French oak, for fermentation. After about 9 months in oak, first fermenting, then going through the magical ‘malolactic’ ferment, the batches are blended to stainless steel tanks before bottling.
Alc/Vol: 12.5%
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Producer: Shaw + Smith
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Type: Chardonnay