Swinging Bridge Mrs Payten Chardonnay 2024 12pack 12.6% 750ml

Swinging Bridge Mrs Payten Chardonnay 2024 12pack 12.6% 750ml

Tasting Notes

Appearance
Clear, pale lemon.

Aroma
Juicy nectarine and peach with citrus and toasted vanilla.

Palate
Bright acidity with a stone fruit and zesty lemon. Medium bodied with a toasty biscuit finish that lingers.

Range notes
Each wine in the Winemaker Series is as distinctive as its namesake. This collection showcases the signature varietals nurtured, harvested, and expertly blended by our Viticulturist and Winemaker, Tom Ward. First released to celebrate Tom’s Grandmother’s 90th Birthday in 2013, this Chardonnay remains true to its heritage and style. Matured in tightly grained French oak, it balances rich citrus and stone fruit characters with a creamy depth of flavour and natural, cool climate acidity.

Vinification
The fruit is pressed to tank, left to settle briefly then racked to barrel, taking a fair amount of solids. Fermentation occurs quickly, before 30% goes through malolactic conversion. The barrels consist of 20% new hogsheads and puncheons from a mixture of French Tonneliers that are well suited to Chardonnay in Orange. Each barrel is stirred every couple of weeks initially and then less frequently until the right texture is achieved, differing for each individual barrel. The barrels are then tasted separately and blended to reflect the vintage and Swinging Bridge style, ready for bottling in late December.

Vintage notes
The 2024 season saw above-average temperatures before and during the growing period, peaking at 34ºC and leading to an early bud burst. Rainfall was slightly above average, paired with high humidity in early February, prompting proactive disease management through trimming, leaf plucking, and fruit thinning. The fruit was picked in late February and early March from our Hill Park (Block 7), Caldwell Lane (Blocks D and A), and Coole Park Vineyards (Block 1).

PH
3.3

Acidity
8.3 g/L

Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Orange, New South Wales
Winemaker: Tom Ward