Tasting notes:
A chiselled, focussed wine that effortlessly manages to be both subtle and intense. It has a rich core of fiercely expressive grapefruit, white peach, ripe pear and grilled hazel nut aromas and flavours. The palate is penetrating and profound yet graceful and poised. a forceful mineral acidity is beautifully balanced by a subtle yet compelling intensity of fruit. A classic length, creaminess and intriguing complexity define this stylish, world class Chardonnay.
Vinification:
This wine is the seamless product of some truly unique, extreme and radical vineyard sites situated in the Hemel-en-Aarde area and Elgin Valley. Because of the cool climate that exists there, the grapes were required to hang long on the vine in order to reach optimum ripeness. Picked during the early hours of the morning during the last week of February and the first week of March 2009, the grapes were rushed to the cellar to ensure that all the exciting fruit flavours were preserved. A minimalist, non-interventionist winemaking approach was adopted. It is 100% barrel fermented and carefully matured in specially selected small French oak barriques - 34% new and 66% second fill - sourced exclusively from Burgundian coopers. Fortnightly battonage was employed throughout the 10 month maturation period. The result is a Chardonnay that is New World in provenance but Old World in stylistic leaning.
Blend information:
100% Chardonnay