Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay

M3 Chardonnay bottle image

Wine Description

Named for the initials of the winery's three owners (Michael, Martin, Matthew), M3 Chardonnay is sourced principally from the Shaw + Smith vineyard at Lenswood. Low yields are achieved by aggressive pruning and pre harvest bunch thinning. All fruit is hand picked to avoid damage. Whole bunches are chilled overnight prior to pressing and barrel fermentation takes place in new, one and two year old French barriques. Wild yeast fermentation and partial malolactic fermentation add complexity and mouth-feel. Finally, the wine is rested in barrique, with some lees stirring to build complexity. Special care is taken not to over oak the wine, maintaining fruit integrity.

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Acclaim
“This is a very attractive and deceptively powerful chardonnay from a high-altitude site (500m) and one that delivers a latent, smoldering depth on the nose. Toasty, hazelnut-like oak breathes up through flinty complexity and a wealth of white peaches, melon, limes and grapefruit. The palate's super taut, really succulent and powerful, holding this thing tight for start to finish. Electrifying tension to this wine; new heights have been reached. Drink now to 2020+.”
— James Suckling, Nov 2017
“Limpid yellow-gold. Fresh nectarine and melon aromas, lifted by a zesty orange pith nuance. Juicy and seamless on the palate, offering subtly sweet honeydew and peach flavors that tighten up and become spicier with aeration. Finishes very long and sappy, featuring lingering hints of sweet butter and smoky lees.”
— Josh Raynolds, Oct 2017
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Vineyard & Production Info
Vineyard name
Lenswood, Woodside, Lobethal
Soil composition
Sandy-Loam overlying Quartzite and Shale
Training method
Double-Guyot VSP
Elevation:
1,254 - 1,815 feet
Vines/acre:
740 - 1,110
Yield/acre:
3.2 tons
Harvest time:
March
First vintage of this wine:
2000
Bottles produced of this wine:
60,000
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Winemaking & Aging
Varietal composition:
100% Chardonnay
Fermentation container:
Barriques and Puncheons
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
15 days
Fermentation temperature:
68 °F
Malolactic fermentation:
Yes
Type of aging container:
Barriques and Barrels
Type of oak:
French
Length of aging before bottling:
11 months
Age of Aging Container:
New to 3 years
Length of bottle aging:
8 months
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Analytical Data
pH level:
3.2
Acidity:
7 g/L
Alcohol:
12.5 %
Residual sugar:
<2 g/L