2020 CHARDONNAY, M3, Shaw & Smith. Adelaide Hills, Aus. (Half bottle)

Adelaide Hills – a key cool climate region in South Australia. The wine comes predominantly from their own vineyard in Lenswood, planted in 1999 and now in the process of becoming fully organic.

100% Chardonnay; barrel aged for 9 months in French oak (one third new wood).

Michael Hill Smith MW and Martin Shaw were true pioneers of modern, fresh, elegant Aussie wines.

This is serious stuff; under-stated, fresh, elegant, the textured richness of Chardonnay coming through gently as the wine warms in the glass. It’s a whole world away from the over-oaked horrors of the 1980s.

Drink as you would good white Burgundy – really benefits from being allowed to warm and open in the glass and then a perfect match with fish or (best of all) with all manner of risottos.