Please Stop looking for another wine estate in South-Africa. We just found the perfect match for you!
This young wine estate, located in the Elgin Valley, produces beautiful wines. The owners like to think that their wines reflect the passion & fun they had while making them. The remarkable thing is that the owners, Joris & Natalie, are originally coming from Belgium (our neighbours?!). In 2002, they signed the papers for this apple-farm, which has the perfect soil (terroir) & climate for viniculture.
The chardonnay grapes grow on the relative colder & lower part of the estate, called "Annabelle" (the name of their oldest daughter). The vines are not irrigated throughout the ripening season, forcing the grapes to work hard in order to find water. This has a positive influence on the taste & structure of this amazing chardonnay.
Information:
Variety
Chardonnay (100%).
Nature of Soils
Sand & Loam
Surface of the Chardonnay vines
1.2 Hectares (2 Acres)
Average age of the vines
Oldest portion was planted in 2005, which forms the backbone of this Chardonnay.
The newer planting was in 2011, which adds the complexity to the wine.
Alcohol percentage
13.0% vol.
Vinificiation & Maturing
After gently pressing & cold setting, the wine is gravity-fed into small sourced French oak barrels (Burgundian).
The fermentation process can take between three weeks up to three months for individual barrels. After the fermentation, the wine undergoes lees contact for approximately ten months without malolactic fermentation or stirring. All batches & barrel treatments are kept separately.
Tasting notes
In the nose, some hints of citrus, lemon tree flower, white peach & fresh coconut. It is complemented with a floral tone that underscores its minerality. The intense fruity palate is softened by the lees contact, which leads to a lingering finish.
Recommendations
Drink it youthfully for the next two till five years. But can be cellared up to ten years. We recommend to serve this wine at a temperature between 8 & 10 degrees Celsius.
