July 7, 2024
M3 Chardonnay - The perfect summer white, now available at a special price this week only!
The perfect summer white, now available at a special price this week only!
"celebrated as one of the best chardonnays in the country. It's also an outstanding vintage." - Halliday Wine Companion
The Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay 2021 is a stunning example of Australian winemaking, showcasing the unique terroir of the Adelaide Hills. The M3 Vineyard, situated at an elevation of 400 meters, benefits from the cool-climate conditions ideal for producing high-quality Chardonnay. The region's extended ripening period develops complex flavours, while the high diurnal temperature range—warm days and cool nights—at this altitude ensures vibrant acidity.
The 2021 vintage was marked by near-perfect growing conditions. A cool, wet spring provided ample water reserves, setting up the vines for a healthy growing season. Summer was mild, with cool nights and warm days, fostering slow, even ripening. This allowed the grapes to develop intense flavours and retain high acidity, which is crucial for the balance and structure of the wine.
The soil composition of the M3 Vineyard, predominantly sandy loam over clay, contributes to the wine's minerality and finesse. The 2021 M3 Chardonnay displays an expressive bouquet of citrus, white peach, and subtle flint. On the palate, it is elegant and layered, with notes of nectarine, lemon curd, and a hint of almond, balanced by a refreshing acidity and a long, mineral-driven finish. The French oak is perfectly balanced leading to a long complex finish.
2021 is a step up from previous vintages and enthusiasts of Tolpuddle should note that Shaw + Smith share the same ownership, benefiting from a similar winemaking philosophy.
Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay 2021
97 Points | Halliday Wine Companion
The '21 M3 release sees a price rise, which the makers clearly consider fitting for a wine celebrated as one of the best chardonnays in the country. It's also an outstanding vintage. Quietly, it wields its magic. Its youthful exuberance is tightly wound, with whispers of green apple, grapefruit, lemon peel and almond, firming and rising through the wine. Acidity drives and energises the pristine fruit with oak a gentle accompaniment. Fine and elegant now. An outstanding future is writ large.
96 Points | Decanter
Restrained, elegant and complex, with no hint of tropical fruit but relevant citrus and white fruit notes in this cool-climate Chardonnay. Oak integration is stunning and the wine shows personality, vibrancy, mouthwatering acidity and a precise, long finish.