Outstanding cooler climate Chardonnay, amongst the best of their kind in Australia.
This vintage has great presence, with intense aromas of white
flowers and lemon blossom. Typically, the 'M3' shows citrus and
nectarine notes. Aiming for elegance, restraint and the ability to
age, the acidity is bright and there is generosity of flavour.
Established in 1989 by Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith MW,
Shaw + Smith's aim is to make contemporary, high quality wines
that stand among the best of their type in Australia. The wines are
made exclusively from fruit grown in the Adelaide Hills, one of
Australia's coolest and most exciting regions. Shaw + Smith
specialise in grape varieties suited to cooler climates, such as
Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, and also make outstanding
wines from Shiraz and Pinot Noir.
Fruit was predominantly sourced from the Shaw + Smith vineyard
at Lenswood, which was planted in 1999 and purchased by Martin
and Michael in 2012. Undulating with east and west facing
aspects at 455 - 500 metres above sea level, the soils are brown
loams over clay with broken shale on the ridges. Low yields were
achieved by aggressive pruning and pre-harvest bunch thinning.
All fruit was hand picked to avoid any fruit damage.
The grapes were chilled overnight, whole bunch pressed, and
then fermented in French oak, one third of which was new. The
wine was matured for nine months in oak with some lees stirring,
followed by two months in tank on lees prior to bottling.
