Paxton Chardonnay 2007

NOTES

Following consistent acclaim for ‘Thomas Block’ fruit from the wine companies we were supplying, we decided to produce the Paxton Chardonnay under our own label. With fresh, lively and attractive citrus and integrated oak, this wine is a Chardonnay lover’s dream. The relatively long and later ripening period for the fruit contributes to the unique, elegant characteristics of the resulting wine. Varietal but atypical of the region, this single vineyard Chardonnay is very impressive, a showcase for whites of the McLaren Vale region. Become a true believer!

2007 will be remembered as one of Australia’s driest ever seasons. Tiny yields and consequently rapid ripening resulted in the earliest vintage in memory. Our Thomas Block vineyard and its deep alluvial soils again proved its worth for white wine production by buffering the effect of an extreme drought year.

TASTING NOTES

Pale straw in colour, the bouquet tantalizes the senses with a lifted floral fragrance of citrus and stone fruit. the palate is complex, even and attractive with freshness and texture. Expect citrus and stonefruits with some creamy complexity, balanced by an attractive minerally structure with crisp flavoursome length.

A great expression of the fruit. Alc 13.5%

OTHER REVIEWS

“Exquisite McLaren Vale white with generously tweaked citrus stone fruit flavours enriched by a restrained influence of French oak.”

John Fordham – The Sunday Times, April 2008

“McLaren Vale is a long way short of being Australia’s best chardonnay region, but this Paxton wine capitalises on the Vale’s strength – rich fruit. It shows out with considerable freshness in this well made short-term wine. Recommended”

Lester Jesberg – Winewise, April 2008

“The Paxton family insists that chardonnay is a winning style in McLaren Vale, based on their knowledge as both viticulture managers of other properties and as winemakers using their own grapes. This single vineyard expression of chardonnay, taken entirely from the Thomas Block, has been barrel fermented in fine grained French oak and largely promotes clean, primary fruit characters; a gentle peach and lemon nose, with a big, fleshy middle palate, and a noticeable seam of green apple acids that keep the flavours lean and fresh, ensuring great palate length with a puckery zing that leaves you thirsty for more.”

David Sly – SA Life Magazine, April 2008

“If you're expecting another blousy McLaren Vale chardie - expect again. This is a rather delicate wine, pear-like and blossomy, crunched with acidity and crisp through the finish. Leesy notes float over the nose - this is a nice drop.” Drink: 2008-2011. 91 points.

Campbell Mattinson – The Winefront, February 2008

“Not as full-on as many Vale chardonnays, this single vineyard wine has an attractive lemon meringue and crunchy white nectarine approach, with plenty of French oak action in the palate, fairly lean at this point with lovely mouth feel, crisp and fresh, lemon lingering more than ripe stone fruit.”

Tony Love – The Advertiser, February 2008

“This is more savoury and spicy than most Chardonnays, with citrus fruit and a rose-petal edge on the nose. French white burgundy style, it has a streak of flinty acidity and minerality seldom found in Aussie Chardonnays. The finish is long, fresh and tangy.”

Jeff Collerson - The Daily Telegraph, February 2008

“Rather a surprising wine for McLaren Chardonnay: the nose is distinctly white nectarine, very fresh and lively and dominating the background of light oak. The palate is equally fresh and zesty, although showing a little more body and weight. But all-in-all a fresh and rather elegant chardonnay at this stage of its development.”