2024 Shaw & Smith Lenswood Vineyard Chardonnay

Sourced from blocks three and four in the Lenswood Vineyard, first planted in 1999, this site features east and west-facing aspects at 500 meters above sea level, with brown loam over clay and broken shale and stone on the ridges. The wine was gently whole-bunch pressed and fermented in 500 litre puncheons, with 30% new oak, undergoing full malo and spending 10 months in oak before resting in the tank prior to bottling.

Other Reviews....
A magic moment kind of wine. Scintillating acidity, a gentle, savoury underbelly, crisp stone fruit and green apple characters, a distinct weave of saline minerality with touches of fino sherry and preserved lemon freshness. Add in nougat and ginger snap biscuit, but all of that with an immense sense of fruit purity, too. Savoury, serious, vivid and refreshing in the same breath. A tour de force of chardonnay. Brilliant. Drink 2026-2038.
97 points
Mike Bennie - James Halliday's Wine Companion

Bernard clones 76, 95, 96 planted in 2001. Vineyard sits at 500m. 30% new French oak puncheons. A label refresh too.
Such a finely-etched and classy wine here. White peach, almond cream, aniseed, spice, a flicker of struck match. It’s gently chalky in texture, a crunch to pure acidity, some green olive, ginger and cinnamon, with a saline and limey finish of outstanding length – somewhat like a margarita in a way – and certainly has that refreshing bite to it. Top shelf. Drink 2026-2036+.
96 points
Gary Walsh - The Wine Front