2025 Shadowfax Chardonnay, Macedon Ranges

Aromas of white stone fruit, wheat puff, grapefruit and white lily. Full-flavoured and quite powerful on entry, then some sprightly acidity and grip kicks in to shape the length and presence. Drink to 2031.

90 points Aaron Brasher for The Real Review, July 2026

The Shadowfax Macedon Ranges Chardonnay is a vibrant cool-climate wine with lifted aromatics, crisp acidity and textural depth.

At 740m above sea level, Shadowfax’s Little Hampton in the Macedon Ranges is amongst the highest altitude vineyards in Victoria. This wine also includes fruit from the Midhill vineyard at an elevation of 540m in the same region. The elevation and extra cool nights slow down ripening and help retain natural acidity in the grapes. The results are wines of great natural tension and purity often walking a tight line between acidity and fruit flavours.

The fruit was handpicked and in pristine condition in 2025. Whole bunches were pressed to impart some skin contact to release the full flavour profile and impart some phenolic texture. Natural ferment with ambient yeasts occurred in new (30%) and older French hogshead and puncheon style barrels. The wine was left to unwind and age slowly on its lees to add generosity. Every barrel was treated as is own entity, with some allowed to go through natural malolactic fermentation to add further depth. After eleven months the wine was racked and filtered prior to bottling in March 2026.

The wine has lifted aromas of ginger, peach fuzz, white florals and grapefruit. Bit of lees derived nougat and bakery notes framed by hints of toasty oak. Grapefruit and lime fruits are immediate on the palate. The fruit flavours are framed by those bakery and barrel notes from the nose, ginger like spice adding another element. The palate is quite full, but with a clear line of acid.