South Africa, Hemel en Aarde
Chardonnay
Description
Styled as a food focussed wine, displaying flavours of pineapple and white pear, with the slightest hint of toasted hazelnut. A distinctively refreshing, savoury accent within its broad, yet harmonious, palate. The polished and creamy texture floats easily into a lengthy, expressive finish. Shows breed and finesse.
Awards
Gold International Wine Challenge (IWC)
Certificates
Alcohol
13.5%
Analytical data
dry
Vinification
Our Chardonnay vineyards are planted exclusively to the 95 clone – particularly successful in the Hemel-en-Aarde and known for its structural intensity. Bunches are pressed without crushing and settled overnight, before being transferred to French oak barrels. Here temperatures are monitored during the peak of fermentation, while the lees is left undisturbed and only partial malo-lactic fermentation permitted – in order to retain freshness. A third new oak was employed and maturation on primary lees took place for nine months.
Vineyard
A more than respectable vintage, reflecting drier conditions with corresponding healthy fruit of balanced maturity. Concentration is arguably the characteristic signature of this harvest where fuller bodied wines can be expected. Early harvesting of a relatively small crop ensured that the grapes were harvested at optimal ripeness.
Maturation
Bunches are pressed without crushing and settled overnight, before being transferred to French oak barrels. Here temperatures are monitored during the peak of fermentation, while the lees is left undisturbed and only partial malo-lactic fermentation permitted – in order to retain freshness. A third new oak was employed and maturation on primary lees took place for nine months.
Food Pairing
Soft cheese, fish pâté, Bouillabaisse or flavoured fish will all work splendidly with this vintage, as well as chicken or sushi dishes.
