Chardonnay

Description

Spectacular panoramic views of Stellenbosch and Cape Town, cool hillside vineyards planted to classic varieties, and a modern family-run winery have combined to produce distinctive wines displaying the ripe concentrated fruity accessibility of the New World, with the complex elegance of classic wine.

Variety

100% Chardonnay

Vineyards

Harvested from mature vineyards (11 - 25  years old) planted to selected Davisand Burgundian clones. The vineyards are situated on cooler south and east-facing slopes (250-310m above sea level). Vertical hedge trellising and low yields ensure a complex

concentration of flavours. The vineyards are unirrigated.

Winemaking

The juice was barrel-fermented in a selection of 228 litre Burgundy-shaped French oak barrels (51% new and 49% second-fill Nevers and Burgundian oak barrels from selected French cooperages). The wine was matured "sur lie" in the barrel for 9 months with occasional rolling of the barrels to accentuate the leesy character. 8% tank-fermented Chardonnay was blended with the barrel-fermented wine to ensure well-balanced citrus flavours. Both the tank and barrel-fermented Chardonnay underwent malolactic fermentation.

Tasting Notes

A powerful expression of Chardonnay, brimming with fruit flavour and elegance.  A buttery toastiness from the oak rounds off the complex hazelnut and citrus flavours.

Analysis

Alc: 13.5%          TA: 6.6g/l         pH: 3.3         RS: 2.1g/l