2021 Shadowfax ‘Midhill’ Chardonnay Macedon Ranges Vic

Sourced from the Midhill Vineyard in the Macedon Ranges. A very cool summer and
mild autumn led to a very long growing season. This vineyard near Romsey is 540m
above sea level, was planted in 1993 in deep red alluvial soils. Grapes ripened late in
the season with full flavour and phenolic ripeness. Fruit was hand picked in small
batches in pristine condition.
Hand-harvested fruit was firmly whole bunch pressed to impart some skin contact to
release the full flavour profile and impart some phenolic texture. Natural ferment
occurred in new (50%) and older French Hoggs Head and puncheon barrels. The wine
was left to unwind and 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 2022. – Al Timms, Shadowfax