Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay 2020

High class here. Elegance matched with power and fruit purity. Great now, will be even better in a few years.

A contemporary and elegant Chardonnay from one of the Adelaide Hills' most exciting producers. White flowers, citrus, and nectarines on the nose, alongside smoky notes from perfectly integrated oak. 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.

Producer: Shaw + Smith

Region/Country: Adelaide Hills, Australia

Grape/s: Chardonnay

Production Method: 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.

Style: Aiming for elegance, restraint and the ability to age, the acidity is bright and there is generosity of flavour.

Pairing Suggestion: Seafood, vegetable dishes, poultry

Variety: Chardonnay

Profile: Commonly referred to as the winemakers grape owing to both its versatility and ease of manipulation in the winery. Chardonnay will range widely in character depending on its region of origin as well as winemaking style. One the lighter end of the spectrum, generally from cooler regions, it will display crisp, somewhat tart acidity alongside citrus and orchard fruit character and mineral texture. Moving to warmer climates gradually produces a more ripe stone and tropical fruit character. Winemaking, particularly the use of oak and batonnage (lees stirring) produces a richer, creamier texture and flavours of toast, butter and vanilla spice.

Classic Regions: Chablis, Cote d'Or, Maconnais, Champagne (France), Yarra Valley, Tasmania, Margaret River (Australia), Canterbury (New Zealand), Walker Bay (South Africa)

Shaw + Smith

Shaw + Smith began over a long lunch in 1989 when cousins Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith decided to realise a long-held dream to make wine together. Their vision remains to make exciting, refined wines, exclusively from the Adelaide Hills, that rank among Australia's best. The winemaking dream team consists of Martin Shaw and senior winemaker Adam Wadewitz, one of Australia's brightest winemaking talents.