2022 Shaw + Smith Lenswood Vineyard Chardonnay

2022 Shaw + Smith Lenswood Vineyard Chardonnay

Notes

New Release
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$97.00
 
SKU: SASLVCHA22
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$582.00
/ Case of 6
 

The hallmarks of the 2022 growing season were the coolness and healthy rains of a La Niña season. Those conditions have given this wine great intensity and high extract.There is a pithy quality to the palate, with the trademark acidity balanced by layers of texture. Softness, as well as freshness and nectarine notes that mingle with more crystalline glacé lemon are a reminder of the late season warmth that finished off ripening beautifully.

Another cooler than average season with some influence from La Niña weather patterns. The season was cool to begin with, which meant that a smaller crop formed during fruit set.The summer was mild, warming up towards the end and adding flavour and ripeness to the fresh acidity.

Gently whole bunch pressed, then fermented in 500 litre puncheon, 30% new. Full malo, and 10 months in oak before resting in tank prior to bottling.

Will reward careful cellaring for up to 20 years.

Style

Tasting Notes
A fine boned Chardonnay that reflects the conditions of the vintage and the character of this unique vineyard site.
Tasting Notes
A fine boned Chardonnay that reflects the conditions of the vintage and the character of this unique vineyard site.

Growing and Making

Production Notes
From blocks three and four in our Lenswood Vineyard. First planted in 1999, it has east and west facing aspects and reaches 500 meters above sea level. The soil is brown loam over clay with some broken shale and stone on the ridges. Whole bunches were chilled overnight, then pressed, before fermentation in new and used 500 litre French oak puncheons. The wine spent a further 10 months in barrel with gentle stirring.
Production Notes
From blocks three and four in our Lenswood Vineyard. First planted in 1999, it has east and west facing aspects and reaches 500 meters above sea level. The soil is brown loam over clay with some broken shale and stone on the ridges. Whole bunches were chilled overnight, then pressed, before fermentation in new and used 500 litre French oak puncheons. The wine spent a further 10 months in barrel with gentle stirring.

Story

Winemaker Notes
Since purchasing the vineyard in 2012, significant investments have been made to further enhance the site. It had always shown potential for a single site wine and in 2014 a small amount was selected for our first 'Lenswood Vineyard' Chardonnay.
Winemaker Notes
Since purchasing the vineyard in 2012, significant investments have been made to further enhance the site. It had always shown potential for a single site wine and in 2014 a small amount was selected for our first 'Lenswood Vineyard' Chardonnay.

Reviews

Shanteh Wale, The Wine Pilot - April 2024

A cascade of yellow grapefruit juice, juiced green apples and lime sorbet. Elderflower and Acacia blossoms. A hint of green coconut and lemongrass. It's full of citrus zest with an almond milk creaminess and roast raw macadamia on the finish. Nutmeg, tahini and baked anzac biscuits. A harmony of high tones and deep base notes that presents a birds eye view of Hills chardonnay. There is real power and weight here but with plenty of fruit tension and enough malo buffering. A joy to drink now and will cellar 5-8 years. I can see this served beside a river of raclette on hot bread. 96 Points. 

Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front - March 2024

This wine is a study in elegance. It has fruit, it’s not underdone, but the mouthwatering lilt of flavour running from start to finish is something to behold. It tastes off citrus, bran, stone fruits, crushed fennel, brine and ginger, a sweet-bready-woody character lingering throughout. But the carry of it, the long juicy length, the gradual reveal of florals; it’s beautifully done. 95+ Points. 

Ned Goodwin MW, Jamesuckling.com - March 2024 

An exceptional vintage for white wines. A lower pH, inherent freshness and phenolic bite, the artillery that delivers the impressive structural latticework necessary for further development. Really classy. Subdued aromas of cinnamon, sesame, quince, ginger and toasted hazelnut, with the barest hint of fruit. Better this way. The mid-weighted palate is pliant, nicely chewy and multilayered. The finish is exceptionally long, although I look forward to tasting again in another six or eight years after things unravel and meld. Stunning chardonnay, aligned with top-tier Chassagne and certainly among the finest tasted in recent memory. 97 Points.

Huon Hooke, The Real Review - March 2024

Very light yellow hue; smoky reductive and waxy, wheaty notes rise from the glass, the wine reserved and tautly composed, with a refined and subtle palate that promises to reveal more given time. There are herb, citrus and pear flavours within, oak making its presence known, and the finish is tensioned and long. It demands time and shows a lot of promise. 93 Points. 

Shanteh Wale, The Wine Pilot - April 2024

A cascade of yellow grapefruit juice, juiced green apples and lime sorbet. Elderflower and Acacia blossoms. A hint of green coconut and lemongrass. It's full of citrus zest with an almond milk creaminess and roast raw macadamia on the finish. Nutmeg, tahini and baked anzac biscuits. A harmony of high tones and deep base notes that presents a birds eye view of Hills chardonnay. There is real power and weight here but with plenty of fruit tension and enough malo buffering. A joy to drink now and will cellar 5-8 years. I can see this served beside a river of raclette on hot bread. 96 Points. 

Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front - March 2024

This wine is a study in elegance. It has fruit, it’s not underdone, but the mouthwatering lilt of flavour running from start to finish is something to behold. It tastes off citrus, bran, stone fruits, crushed fennel, brine and ginger, a sweet-bready-woody character lingering throughout. But the carry of it, the long juicy length, the gradual reveal of florals; it’s beautifully done. 95+ Points. 

Ned Goodwin MW, Jamesuckling.com - March 2024 

An exceptional vintage for white wines. A lower pH, inherent freshness and phenolic bite, the artillery that delivers the impressive structural latticework necessary for further development. Really classy. Subdued aromas of cinnamon, sesame, quince, ginger and toasted hazelnut, with the barest hint of fruit. Better this way. The mid-weighted palate is pliant, nicely chewy and multilayered. The finish is exceptionally long, although I look forward to tasting again in another six or eight years after things unravel and meld. Stunning chardonnay, aligned with top-tier Chassagne and certainly among the finest tasted in recent memory. 97 Points.

Huon Hooke, The Real Review - March 2024

Very light yellow hue; smoky reductive and waxy, wheaty notes rise from the glass, the wine reserved and tautly composed, with a refined and subtle palate that promises to reveal more given time. There are herb, citrus and pear flavours within, oak making its presence known, and the finish is tensioned and long. It demands time and shows a lot of promise. 93 Points. 

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