Description
Shadowfax located 30 minutes from Melbourne was established in 1998. Winemaker Alister Timms has a strong focus on regionality with the majority of fruit sourced and hand-harvested from their vineyards in the Macedon Ranges and Werribee as well as small growers in Geelong. Each and every vineyard has its own distinct characteristics and produces grapes of only the highest quality. They have taken tremendous strides in recent times, with the team refining the range and proving their prowess with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Their single-vineyard Chardonnays have taken out Best Chardonnay at the Macedon Ranges Wine Exhibition no fewer than five times. Especially noteworthy have been the Little Hampton Vineyard in Macedon’s high-altitude plantings of Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Macedon is the chilliest region of Australia’s mainland, perfectly suited to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and its location south of the Great Dividing Range produces excellent acid retention in grapes. These are the vibrant future of Australia’s cool-climate wine scene.
About this wine from the winemaker: “A cool spring in the Macedon Ranges set medium size crops. A cool summer and mild autumn led to a very long growing season. The 740 meters above sea level elevation site of Little Hampton has extra cool nights, helping to retain natural acidity in the grapes, being picked in early May. 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 carefully sorted and destemmed with 100% whole berries into small open fermenters. Natural fermentation occurred with daily hand pump overs and limited plunging to extract fine tannins and flavour. After two weeks on skins the wine was pressed then racked into new (25%) and used French Hogs Heads, where it rested and grew. The wine was then blended and filtered prior to bottling in March 2023.
“Dark red with bright purple hues and brilliant clarity. This elegant Macedon ranges Pinot Noir has brooding spice aromas including cardamom, star anise, sandalwood and citrus rind. Red cherries, forest floor and graphite give the wines complexity. The wine has intrigue and flair in the glass, evolving through time.
“Red cherry and dried cranberries spill onto the palate. This generous Pinot has breadth and expanse, yet shows poise from seams of grown ripe tannins. There are complexities galore with dried herb and sandalwood interacting with cherry pith fruits. The palate is long and persistent yet light on its feet, bringing you back for more. This is a powerful Pinot and a fine example of cool climate, high altitude Macedon ranges Pinot Noir.”
Newly released .. review for 2021 95 points James Halliday Wine Companion “From four sites across the Macedon Ranges; hand picked, wild-yeast fermented, matured in French hogsheads and puncheons. A savoury, spicy, stemmy undertow takes its time in allowing red cherry and plum fruits full access, but with several returns to the glass the fruits hold sway on the bouquet and palate, the other components satisfied with the complexity they bring on the finish. Chalk and cheese to the 2020.”
RRP $45 Our Special Price $36.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine.
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