Paxton NOW Preservative Free Chardonnay 2024: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Bright & Crunchy

A fresh, lively Chardonnay that skips the heavy oak route and heads somewhere more vibrant, herbal and immediately drinkable. Expect native finger lime, pear d’Anjou and elderflower, with wild spearmint and a touch of tarragon giving it a lifted, almost garden-fresh edge. The palate is dry and medium-bodied, with a softly creamy lees texture tucked inside a bright, stainless-steel frame. It’s the kind of Chardonnay that feels clean, modern and very easy to reach for.

Highlights

• Certified organic, certified biodynamic, vegan suitable and no added preservative
• Crafted by Paxton Wines — one of McLaren Vale’s leading biodynamic producers
• Finger lime, pear, elderflower and herbs with a softly creamy finish
• Whole-bunch pressed, lees-aged in stainless steel and bottled young for freshness
• Natural-leaning, drink-now Chardonnay style
• 13.0% ABV

Tasting Notes

The aromatics are immediately appealing: native finger lime, pear d’Anjou, elderflower, wild spearmint and a hint of tarragon. It’s a distinctly fresh profile, but not thin. On the palate, Chardonnay’s natural breadth is there in a softer leesy creaminess, while the overall shape stays dry, bright and lightly crunchy. There’s no oak influence to weigh it down, so the wine keeps a clear, clean line right through the finish.

Winemaking

The fruit was machine harvested in the cool of night, whole-bunch pressed and fermented at cool temperatures between 15–18°C. After primary fermentation, the wine stayed on fine lees through and after malolactic fermentation, with weekly stirring to build mouthfeel and protect freshness. It was then bottled after only a short period in stainless steel, with no added sulphur dioxide or other preservatives, to keep the fruit profile vivid and the style very immediate.

Vineyard & Vintage

This Chardonnay comes from McLaren Vale, with Paxton’s certified organic and biodynamic farming playing a major role in fruit health during a challenging season. The winery notes describe a long, cool growing period with a cold wet winter, windy flowering and one of the wettest springs in 30 years, followed by a slower ripening cycle. The result was small crops but wines with bright acidity, delicate flavour layers and excellent freshness — all of which make sense in this 2024 release.

Why We Love It

This is such a useful Chardonnay for drinkers who want flavour and texture without oak-heavy richness. The herbal lift makes it feel distinctive, the lees work adds enough softness, and the no added preservative style keeps everything bright and energetic. It’s very easy to imagine this on a warm evening with simple food and good company.

Food Pairing

The fresh acidity and subtle creaminess make this a lovely match for lighter dishes, especially anything with herbs, citrus or a little richness from dairy or olive oil. It also handles vegetarian plates beautifully.

Try matching this wine with →

• Lemon herb chicken — Find a Recipe
• Asparagus risotto — Find a Recipe
• Grilled fish tacos — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

Perfect for warm afternoons, easy lunches and those nights when you want a white that tastes fresh, not dressed up. It has picnic energy, but still enough texture for a proper sit-down meal.

Cellaring

This is made to be enjoyed young while the fruit and herbal brightness are front and centre. Drink now and over the next year or two for the best expression.

Producer

Paxton is one of McLaren Vale’s benchmark biodynamic producers, founded by viticulturist David Paxton in 1979 and still deeply committed to vineyard-led winegrowing. The family farms its estate vineyards under certified organic and biodynamic principles, with a strong emphasis on soil health, biodiversity and long-term resilience in the vineyard. That philosophy carries right through the range, from cellar-worthy reds to the more immediate NOW wines. In this Chardonnay, Paxton’s approach shows up as purity, brightness and a style that lets fruit, acidity and careful lees handling do the talking rather than oak or heavy winemaking tricks.

Related Wines To Try →

If you enjoy this fresher, lightly creamy Chardonnay style, these are great next bottles to explore:

• Another no added preservative Chardonnay option — Tamburlaine Preservative Free Chardonnay
• Organic Chardonnay with a little more stonefruit weight — Descendants of Arthur Organic Chardonnay
• Fresh, softly creamy organic Chardonnay — Tamburlaine Organic Grapevine Chardonnay

FAQ

What does Paxton NOW Preservative Free Chardonnay taste like?

It tastes of finger lime, pear d’Anjou and elderflower, with wild spearmint and a faint herbal lift from tarragon. The palate is dry and medium-bodied, with fresh acidity and a softly creamy lees texture rather than oak richness.

Is this Chardonnay dry or sweet?

It is dry. The residual sugar sits at about 2 g/L, so it keeps a clean, crisp line even though the fruit profile is expressive.

What is the body and texture like?

This sits around medium-bodied, with enough lees work to give it a rounded, lightly creamy middle. It still finishes bright and fresh, so it never turns heavy or buttery.

Does this wine contain preservatives or sulphites?

No sulphur dioxide or other preservatives were added during winemaking, so this is a true No Added Preservative wine. Like all wine, it can still contain very small naturally occurring sulphites created during fermentation.

Is Paxton NOW Chardonnay organic, biodynamic and vegan?

Yes. Organic Wine lists it as certified organic, certified biodynamic, vegan suitable and natural wine, which makes it a strong fit for drinkers seeking a lower-intervention white.

How should I serve this wine?

Serve it chilled but not icy, around 8–10°C, in a medium white wine glass. You don’t need to decant it — this is a bottle that’s happiest poured straight from the fridge with a few minutes in the glass.

Can I cellar it?

This one is really about freshness rather than long ageing. It’s best enjoyed now and over the next couple of years while the fruit and herbal detail stay lively.

What foods pair best with it?

It’s excellent with roast chicken, creamy risotto, grilled fish and salads with herbs or citrus. Vegetarian dishes with asparagus, zucchini or soft cheese also work especially well.

Who will love this wine most?

This suits drinkers who prefer fresher, cleaner Chardonnay rather than big buttery styles. If you like bright organic whites or easy-drinking Chardonnay with a little texture, this is a very good fit.

How long will it last once opened?

Because it has no added preservative, it’s best within 1–2 days of opening, sealed and kept in the fridge. The wine is at its prettiest while the fruit is still bright and lifted.

(SKU: PX_NWC_CV)