2018 Shadowfax Little Hampton Pinot Gris

Shadowfax

Australia / Werribee / Shadowfax

The fourth release from Shadowfax's pride and joy - and key to future cool-climate viticulture - Little Hampton Vineyard. At 700m above sea level, this is second highest and one of coolest vineyards in Macedon. Hand harvested fruit was firmly whole bunch pressed to release the full Pinot Gris flavour profile. Natural ferment occurred in older French barrels. The wine was left to unwind and age slowly on its ferment lees to add generosity. After nine months the wine was racked and filtered prior to bottling in August 2018. pH 3.41g/L; TA 5.5g/L; alcohol 13.3%.
This high-altitude Pinot Gris displays great aromatic lift. Potpourri, orange blossom and citrus notes leap from the glass. The perfume is persistent and intriguing, always bringing you back for another sniff. White pear and orange sorbet flow onto the palate giving instant appeal. These fruit flavours are complexed with barrel ferment characters such as nougat. The fruits are enveloped with fine grapefruit pith texture giving extra intrigue. The rich flowing palate is long and intense that is finished off with great acidity and persistence. - Al Timms, Shadowfax

January, 2020

Huon Hooke

huonhooke.com

96 points

It’s hard to recall a better Aussie gris than this one, grown at Little Hampton at 750 metres altitude. Aromas include ripe peach and other yellow fruits, laced with spices and finishing with a gentle kick of white pepper. It’s generous and rounded on the tongue, but also refined and subtle, with sneaky understated richness. Beautifully balanced and so drinkable.

August, 2019

Campbell Mattinson

Halliday Wine Companion 2020

93 points

Can't help but admire the way this races through the mouth while simultaneously offering an abundance of both texture and flavour. Spiced apple and pears are the main order though there's a creamy smoothness on the menu too.

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About Shadowfax

Shadowfax has taken tremendous strides in recent times, with the team refining the range and proving their prowess with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Their single-vineyard Chardonnays have taken out Best Chardonnay at the Macedon Ranges Wine Exhibition no fewer than five times. Especially noteworthy have been the Little Hampton Vineyard in Macedon's high-altitude plantings of Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, in the chilliest region of Australia’s mainland. These are the vibrant future of Australia’s cool-climate wine scene. The counterpoint to this is the dynamic Minnow project, based around the Werribee vineyard’s southern French varieties. This is the source of bright, spicy, textured rosé and reds, with the micro-make Mondeuse immediately becoming a delicious cult hit. With long-serving vineyard manager and assistant winemaker Alister Timms taking the helm in October 2017, these are hugely exciting times for Shadowfax.

About

Shortly after completing this second degree, Alister started working at Shadowfax as Assistant Winemaker, a position he held for three years before moving back home to run his family’s winery, Kilgour Estate. In 2008, Alister returned to Shadowfax to manage the winery’s various vineyards and establish the Little Hampton property in the Macedon Ranges, whilst working as Assistant Winemaker to Matt Harrop. When Matt decided to leave Shadowfax in October 2017, after almost 20 years as winemaker, Alister was the obvious choice as his replacement. “I look forward to building on the foundation that we’ve created over the years and seeing our vineyards reach their full potential, and to follow that through in the winery.”