Paxton NOW Preservative Free Chardonnay 2019

VARIETY: Chardonnay

100%: Organic | Biodynamic | Preservative Free

REGION: McLaren Vale

COLOUR: Bright greeny straw

AROMA: A delightful fragrance of butterscotch, honeycomb, white peach and pear

PALATE: A delicious mouth feel of lemon sorbet, rock melon and a creamy mid palate finishing with a lovely citrus minerality

CELLARING:

Drink “NOW”

 

WINEMAKING & VINTAGE

VINTAGE:

2019 Vintage was one of the harder vintages we have experienced in many years. Below average rainfall over spring and virtually no rain during summer saw a heavy reliance on irrigation. This together with a severe hail storm in November, the hottest day in South Australia since 2009 and regular maximum temperatures over 36 degree Celsius in February made for some challenges. However, our close proximity to the Gulf St Vincent did help moderate some extreme weather events. All in all we saw smaller tonnages with more intense flavour in the fruit due to very little water content in the grapes. Another consistent year for Pinot Gris and Grenache, with early signs the Shiraz will carry a lot of density of fruit flavours.

 

VINIFICATION:

Selector harvested in the cool of the night once the grapes have reached optimum sugar and flavour equilibrium. Whole berry pressed, cold settled then the clear juice is racked off solids, warmed and fermented between 13-15oc. Post primary fermentation, the wine is warmed to 20oc to encourage secondary fermentation (malolactic fermentation). The yeast and malo lees are stirred for 3-4 weeks prior to blending and bottling.

No sulphur dioxide or preservatives were added in the making of this wine, however, sulphur dioxide is a natural by product of the fermentation process.

 

ALCOHOL: 12.0%

PH: 3.26

TA: 4.77g/L

TOTAL SO2: 0ppm

WINEMAKER: Richard Freebairn