2023 Swinging Bridge Mrs Payten Chardonnay

Delicious, full-flavoured Chardonnay from one of Orange's best producers.
4.6
Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars
5 Reviews

Price:
Sale price$32.00
Stock:
In stock, ready to ship
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Description

The Mrs Payten Chardonnay is a heartfelt tribute to winemaker Tom Ward's grandmother, Armah Payten, and a ripping value cool-climate Chardonnay with richness and weight. First crafted to celebrate Armah’s 90th birthday, this Chardonnay has since become a beloved favourite for Swinging Bridge fans.

Sourced from the meticulously tended Hill Park, Caldwell Lane, and Coole Park Vineyards, this Chardonnay offers a vibrant mix of stone fruits and citrus, balanced by a bright acidity that lends a crisp, clean finish. Maturation in French oak adds a subtle flintiness and depth, it's good old-fashioned Chardonnay with creaminess, some buttery notes and loads of flavour.

It’s a wine that speaks to the tradition and innovation at the heart of Swinging Bridge. Perfectly paired with crisp-skinned ocean trout, it’s a celebration of family, heritage, and Chardonnay from the Orange region.

"White chalk, crushed stone and pomelo skin. Apple cheeks and white nectarine. Yellow plum, lemonade fruit and elevated acidity. A hint of nutmeg and dusty cinnamon. Crunchy and, as always, full of energy and appeal."
- Shanteh Wale (Halliday Wine Companion)

93 points - "White chalk, crushed stone and pomelo skin. Apple cheeks and white nectarine. Yellow plum, lemonade fruit and elevated acidity. A hint of nutmeg and dusty cinnamon. Crunchy and, as always, full of energy and appeal."
- Shanteh Wale (Halliday Wine Companion)

92 points - "The first thing that hits is a mouthwatering line of salty acidity, then some grain to texture, almond meal, vanilla slice and grapefruit pith. All bundled in a solid mid-palate package, with lemon curd creaminess and a little chew to finish. Fresh, super easily drinkable style that ticks all Chardonnay boxes for the price." - Kasia Sobiesiak (The Wine Front)

Customer Reviews

4.6
Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars
Based on 5 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 3 Total 4 star reviews: 2 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 0
5 reviews
  • DH
    derek h.
    Verified Buyer
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    10 months ago
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    2022 Swinging Bridge Mrs Payten Chardonnay
    Reviewing
    2022 Swinging Bridge Mrs Payten Chardonnay
    Rated 4 out of 5 stars
    Decent value

    Good value for what you are paying. Nice and bright, better with some food. If you are looking for something weightier, probably not the one.

  • EB Profile picture for Emilie B.
    Emilie B.
    Verified Buyer
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    2 years ago
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    2022 Swinging Bridge Mrs Payten Chardonnay
    Reviewing
    2022 Swinging Bridge Mrs Payten Chardonnay
    Rated 4 out of 5 stars
    surprising

    this chardy is really fresh and juicy, I normally cant stand chards as they are too mushroomy and buttery bit this drop leaves that behind, very tasty.

  • RR
    Ros R.
    Verified Buyer
    Wine Knowledge Level Cork Dork
    2 years ago
    Wine Knowledge Level Cork Dork
    2022 Swinging Bridge Mrs Payten Chardonnay
    Reviewing
    2022 Swinging Bridge Mrs Payten Chardonnay
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    One of my favourites

    Love this tasty Chardonnay.

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The Swinging Bridge Winemaker Series, like their namesakes, are unique. They reflect the best of the Orange Region, capturing the essence and terroir of the vineyard. As was Mrs Payten, Tom’s grandmother, these are wines of style, elegance, and finesse. This Chardonnay was first released to celebrate Armah’s 90th birthday in 2013 and was matured in tightly grained French Oak, balancing its rich stone fruit and grapefruit characters. With its depth of flavour, flintiness, and natural cool-climate acidity, this is a wine that will reward cellaring.

Explore the Vintage

The vintage began with unusually cool and wet conditions from September through December. These low temperatures led to a late bud burst, causing low bud initiation and small bunch sizes in Chardonnay across the region. These conditions required diligent efforts in our vineyards to open up the fruit zone through extensive leaf plucking, thinning, and trimming. The second half of the vintage saw a turn of events with above-average temperatures from January to March, allowing the Chardonnay to reach optimal ripeness while retaining beautiful natural acids from the cooler start to the vintage.

Appreciate the Winemaking

The fruit was picked from our Hill Park (Block 7) and Caldwell Lane Vineyards (Blocks D and A), as well as Coole Park Vineyard (Block 1). The fruit is then taken straight to the press, left to settle briefly, then racked to barrel with a fair amount of solids, and left for wild ferment. The barrels consist of 20% new hogsheads and puncheons, from a mixture of French Tonneliers well suited to Chardonnay in Orange. Fermentation occurs as quickly as possible, before 30% goes through malolactic conversion. The barrels are 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 for the final bottling in late November.

Enjoy the Characteristics

Colour: Clear, pale lemon.
Nose: Fresh white peach, lemon juice, and white blossom.
Palate: Light-bodied with a bright but soft acid structure. Stone fruits and white florals with a soft, smooth finish.

Price Bracket $31 to $40
Type White
Body Full Bodied
Variety Chardonnay
Country Australia
Region Orange
Australian State NSW
Reviewed By Halliday Wine Companion
The Wine Front
Critic Score 93
92
Size 750ml
Vintage 2023
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Swinging Bridge Wines

Swinging Bridge is one of Orange’s premier producers.

This producer has always served up extremely well-priced, classically styled wines, but recent years has seen the quality and variety go to another level.

Owner/winemaker Tom Ward has a vision for Swinging Bridge to be renowned for its premium Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and for innovation, and they're making great strides.

Their Chardonnay is already as good as any in the region; the Pinot Noir, while early days, is winning trophies and shows great promise, the innovative '# Series' is full of all sorts of deliciously quirky experiments.

An excellent producer and a leader for the future for Orange and NSW wine.

Tom Ward of Swinging Bridge Swinging Bridge

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