Description
Product Description: A cool-climate Pinot that’s all tension, spice and finesse. The 2023 Shadowfax Macedon Ranges Pinot Noir captures the vitality and elegance of one of Australia’s highest and coolest wine regions. Sourced from the Little Hampton vineyard—sitting at 740m above sea level—this wine reflects a long, late ripening season where natural acidity and slow flavour build create depth and precision. Hand-picked fruit, 100% whole berry ferment and minimal intervention in the winery set the stage for a Pinot that’s both detailed and expressive. What you get is a wine that marries structure with supple fruit. It’s a study in contrast: brooding spice meets lifted red cherry; earthy undertones balance against vibrant acidity. Bottled unfiltered after time in French oak, this is a wine that rewards patience—but has enough generosity to impress in its youth. The Maker Founded in 2000, Shadowfax is a boutique winery set within the historic grounds of Werribee Park, just half an hour from Melbourne. Designed by award-winning architects Wood Marsh, the winery’s striking rusted metal exterior and terracotta interior reflect both a contemporary sensibility and a respect for Australia’s wine heritage. Chief Winemaker Alister Timms leads a team deeply committed to regional expression. The majority of fruit is hand-harvested from estate vineyards in the Macedon Ranges and Werribee, with additional small parcels from select growers in Geelong. Each vineyard is farmed with precision, ensuring that the character of every site comes through in the glass. From the flagship Little Hampton Pinot Noir to the bold K Road Shiraz, the wines balance craft and clarity, offering a distinct voice of place. Shadowfax remains a producer of scale and focus—small enough to stay hands-on, yet ambitious enough to push the boundaries of cool-climate Victorian wine. Philosophy Shadowfax works with a simple guiding principle: let the vineyard speak. Each site, from volcanic slopes in the Macedon Ranges to granite outcrops on Mount Macedon, is treated individually, with vineyard management shaped by the needs of the vines themselves. This hands-on, responsive approach results in fruit that captures the true character of its environment. Winemaking here is guided by restraint and respect. Minimal intervention in the cellar allows natural acidity, fragrance, and structure to remain intact, while thoughtful use of oak supports rather than dominates. For Shadowfax, experimentation and precision go hand in hand—trials, new plantings, and small-batch bottlings are part of a continual pursuit of expression. As Timms describes, the role of the winemaker is to listen: to the soil, the vine, and the fruit. The glass then becomes the stage on which each vineyard tells its story—finesse, purity, and individuality shaping wines that are unmistakably Shadowfax. Tasting Notes NOSE – Complex and brooding Cardamom, sandalwood and citrus rind over forest floor, blue fruit and red cherry. PALATE – Poised and textural Red cherry and cranberry with dried herbs, fine tannins and subtle oak complexity. FINISH – Persistent and elegant Lifted, savoury and long—delivering freshness with each return sip. Finer Details: Style – Red Wine Varietal – Pinot Noir Country – Australia Region – Macedon Ranges, Victoria Vintage – 2023 Bottle Size – 750ml ABV – 13%
