Mayfield Single Vineyard Orange Chardonnay 2021

Cooler climate wines and those from high altitudes hold a certain fascination for winelovers, as the perception is that the combination of these factors adds to the quality on offer. Not always true, but it often is. The vineyard providing the fruit for this appealing Chardonnay, at Orange in the Central Ranges wine region of NSW, is certainly both cooler and higher than most, sitting at an impressive 900 metres. The wine spends seven months maturing in French oak. Only 150 cases were made, so don’t linger.

Pale straw in colour, this definitely sits at the leaner, more elegant end of the spectrum – if those old fashioned, huge, buttery chardies are your thing, then there is nothing for you to see here. We have gentle cashew notes, gunflint, florals, citrus and a minerally backing. Still very young, we have vibrant acidity helping the wine on its journey, through to quite amazing length of flavour. Better in two to three years and will drink well for another five to six.