Mayford 2021 Chardonnay

With the 2021 release, Mayford Chardonnay is taken to a new level. Tight, poised and seamless, it is ready to weather the tests of time.

Released June 2022

A mild winter followed by a wet spring in 2020 preceded a cool start to the 2021 vintage cycle.  The summer was cool and uncharacteristically wet, without the sharp spikes in temperature that often characterise the start of the ripening season.  Autumn continued in a cool pattern, allowing grape ripening to occur in an unhurried fashion.  

In 2021 the Chardonnay was hand-picked in small parcels between 17 th February and 7 March.  Each batch was chilled down before whole bunch pressing directly to French oak barriques (25% new).  By virtue of this sequential filling process, no two barrels are alike; the first cuts of each press cycle are clean, fruit forward and elegant, the latter cuts with higher solids levels, producing more savoury and textural wines.

In oak the juice underwent fermentation by indigenous yeasts and partial malolactic fermentation.  No acid additions were made.  Matured in barrel with regular lees stirring for 11 months prior to blending and filtration.

With the 2021 release, Mayford Chardonnay is taken to a new level. Tight, poised and seamless, it is ready to weather the tests of time.

Citrus blossom, brulée, lemon posset… grilled nuts and crusty bread. It smells delicious and inviting, yet no one part dominates. 

It is lusciously textured, with flavours that last and last, collected by gentle, lingering acidity.

Restrained, refined, elegant yet powerful… it is a fine steed harnessed, but with energy and stamina to go the mile.

Drink 2023-2040

Bottled February 2022

Bottled under screw cap.