Swinging Bridge Mrs Payten Chardonnay 2024 (75cl, 12.6%)

A Chardonnay from Orange, New South Wales, matured in tightly grained French oak. The fruit was pressed to tank, settled briefly, racked to barrel with solids, fermented quickly, with 30% malolactic conversion. Barrels were 20% new hogsheads and puncheons from French coopers suited to Chardonnay in Orange, stirred and blended to reflect the vintage. The 2024 season had above-average temperatures, early bud burst, slightly above-average rainfall and high humidity in early February, with fruit picked in late February and early March from Hill Park, Caldwell Lane and Coole Park vineyards. It shows juicy nectarine and peach with citrus and toasted vanilla, bright acidity, stone fruit, zesty lemon, medium body and a toasty biscuit finish.