2022 Shaw + Smith Lenswood Vineyard Chardonnay

WINEMAKER: Adam Wadewitz & Martin Shaw
REGION: Adelaide Hills, SA
VARIETY: Chardonnay
VITICULTURE: Sustainable/Organic

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.

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.

First vintage 1990 – over 30 years of winemaking experience in the region. • Founded by cousins Michael Hill Smith MW and Martin Shaw who are now supported by a wine obsessed crew of professionals. • Making modern expressions of cool-climate wines that reflect site and climate. Owners of vineyards in three key sub-regions - Lenswood, Balhannah and Piccadilly. • Committed to growing the best grapes possible and managing the vineyards in a sustainable fashion with an uncompromising pursuit of quality - all wines are fermented, aged and bottled onsite at Balhannah.