Description
The 2022 Swinging Bridge Caldwell Lane Chardonnay is all about pushing cool-climate Australian Chardonnay to new heights. Caldwell Lane, sitting 890 metres above sea level and just a short hop from the Swinging Bridge Cellar Door in Orange, NSW, has become a stage for Tom Ward’s ambition to make one of the best Chardonnays around. With Block A’s nutrient-rich soils and Block D’s rocky, well-drained slopes, the vineyard brings together two distinct personalities, perfectly set up to deal with whatever each season delivers.
The 2022 vintage threw its fair share of challenges their way, with heavy rains throughout winter and into summer. It was all hands on deck, thinning the canopy and taming the vine's wild growth. By mid-January, the rain eased up, and the cooler-than-average temperatures helped shape a vintage full of poise and freshness. It’s a true example of how cool-climate growing can bring out something special.
Once in the winery, the fruit was handled with care. Harvested separately from the two blocks, it went straight to the press, then into barrel with a good amount of its natural solids, kicking off a wild ferment. Tom chose a mix of French oak, just enough new wood to add warmth without overpowering the fruit. The wine aged for seven months, with the barrels stirred and tasted until they reached just the right texture. Only the very best barrels made the cut for this single vineyard release.
The final wine is elegant, complex, but not overworked. On the nose, you get bright lemon, soft florals, and a touch of toasty oak, while the palate brings fresh acidity and flavours of green apple, citrus, and a hint of pastry. Tom’s clearly on a mission to put Orange on the map, and this Chardonnay is leading the charge.
Best Mature Chardonnay
Best Chardonnay
Best White Wine
Best Wine of Show.
- 2024 Orange Wine Show
96 points & Top 100 Wines of 2024
"Meyer lemon, pine lime sherbert, talc and crushed chalk. A hint of sparkler flint and raw pinenut. The wine flourishes on the palate with oyster brine salinity and zeal. A savoury pecorino cheese rind and lemon yoghurt creaminess. Savoury and seamless."
- Shanteh Wale (Halliday Wine Companion)
Swinging Bridge Wines
Tom Ward of Swinging Bridge Swinging Bridge
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Shipping
Delivery is free on orders of $150 or more!
For orders under this amount, delivery is calculated at checkout based on your postcode. You can order in any quantity or combination of wines you like. Straight dozens are not required.
We will dispatch your order the same or next business day.
Estimated delivery transit time varies depending on your location. Please review this page for specific estimates.
Sydney (Our Vans): If no one is home and there are no special delivery instructions our driver will try to call for instructions. If the driver believes there is a safe space to leave your wine they will do so if not, they will return the item to us and hold your order until further instruction from you.
Melbourne (Anonymous Wine Freight): If no one is home and there are no special delivery instructions, the courier will try to call for instructions. If the driver believes there is a safe space to leave your wine they will do so. if not, they will return the item to their dispatch centre and hold until further instruction from you.
Australia Post: Australia Post will leave the parcel if they have been given authority to leave and it is deemed safe to do so. To give your Authority to Leave, please enter this in the 'SPECIAL REQUEST' box at checkout.
Ordering
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Some things to keep in mind:
- Retrospective price-matching is available for 30 days after you have purchased from us.
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- We’ll match the listed price as long as it is a legitimate offer and the competing store is actually able to fulfil the order (they have stock or more stock is en route). Essentially we won't price match cheeky vendors listing wines they have no hope of actually getting for you...
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- It is limited to a reasonable retail quantity.
We'll treat each price match request on its merit and reserve the right to refuse where we deem fit. For example, particularly rare wines, from non-trust-worthy vendors, in circumstances we deem illegitimate or if we feel our policy is being unfairly taken advantage of.
At the end of the day, we'll look after you and use common sense to ensure you're getting the best price, please just don't take the p%$$!
No, feel free to mix it up! There is no minimum requirement. You can order wines in any quantity or combination, 1 or 50+ bottles.
We stock three different sized gift boxes (single, three bottle and six), all are available for purchase for a flat rate of $8. They look great and make an awesome impression.
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