Shaw + Smith 'Lenswood Vineyard' Chardonnay 2021
First planted in 1999, the Lenswood Vineyard was purchased by Shaw + Smith in 2012. The vineyard, located in the Adelaide Hills, combines high altitude, mature vines and diverse aspects, including cool, east and south-facing blocks on soils of brown loam over clay with some broken shale. Following significant investments to improve the vineyard since its acquisition by Shaw + Smith it has proven a great source for wines that can stand alone as single vineyard releases, with the balance to reward ageing. Whole bunches of Chardonnay grapes were chilled overnight, then pressed, before fermentation took place in a mix of new (30%) and used 500-litre French oak puncheons. The wine then spent a further 14 months in barrel with gentle stirring. This is a fine-boned Chardonnay with beautifully intense fruit flavours of citrus and white stone fruits, accompanied by floral, lemon curd and mineral notes. Its layered texture is balanced by a lively, high acidity.
