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.
From Al Timms, Winemaker about the 2020 vintage “Good winter rains set up the soil moisture into the growing season. A dry spring followed allowing full fruit set with good crop levels. Small consistent rains through the summer kept the vines growing and flavour and phenolic ripeness continued to accumulate. At 740m above sea level, Little Hampton’s extra cool nights help retain natural acidity in the grapes.
Hand harvested fruit was firmly whole bunch pressed to impart some skin contact. Natural ferment occurred in new (24%) and older French barrels. The wine was left to 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 2021.”
“Light straw, green hue and brilliant clarity. This distinctive chardonnay bursts from the glass with white florals, grapefruit skin and nectarine fruit notes. Hints of lees derived cream add complexity, whilst a flick of mineral river stone lift the fragrance. Lemon tart and grapefruit spill immediately onto the palate. Fruit flavours are augmented with wild ferment characters such as choux pastry and barrel spice complexity. The wine walks a tightrope, with sherbert acidity and lime pith falling off the side. A great example of cold climate Macedon Ranges Chardonnay. Pair with oysters, deep fried baby snapper, truffled eggs.” – Al Timms, Shadowfax
This 2020 new release is outstanding, as expected. Dry summer in VIC but Macedon Ranges able to maintain moisture in the soil so fruit matured beautifully. Richness, drive and mouthwatering cool climate acidity. Over delivering quality here. Delicious!
95 points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review “Light to mid-yellow colour, bright. The aromas are nougat and lemon, refined and restrained, but also intense throughout the bouquet and palate. Oak is nigh invisible. A superbly balanced, beautifully-composed wine with freshness and complexity, line and length.”
93 points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front “Generous, flavoursome, and yet quite refined. I’m thinking peach, nashi pear, Japanese ginger and grapefruit, a little clove spice oak. It’s glossy, with a smooth almond flavour, a little grip, but quite viscous in feel, spice and ripe lime laid on through a long and juicy finish. Lovely wine. Easy to like.”
RRP $38 Our Special Price only $32.99 Last Bottles
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