Shaw and Smith M3 Chardonnay 2007

M3 vineyard (Martin Shaw, Michael and Matthew Hill Smith), Adelaide Hills, South Australia. Chardonnay (3 clones including Bernard 95 and Bernard 76). 13% alcohol. Screwcap. Approx $A40.

Tasting context: Sally McLellan, the unheralded Aussie, and the youngest in the field for the womens 100m hurdles final, holds her nerve and wins a surprise silver medal. Her post race interview is refreshingly honest and delightfully ebullient.

Note: An excellent chardonnay. Complex and crystalline, with a lovely balance of acid, texture and restrained power. Tasted over some hours I could find grilled peach, flint, mustard fruit, melon and peanut skins. To start and finish, this is sour edged, whilst in between it is silky and slippery, with the impression of butterscotch and cream.

Excellent.
94.
Now - 2011.

Image: Behind the wine, is a terrific and recommended cookbook by Justin North (A kiwi who owns Sydney's acclaimed Bécasse). It's part of my fortnightly stack of library books, which is usually dominated by junior fiction (bedtime reading for the kids).

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