Product Description
Varieties
Chardonnay
The Vineyard
High on the Witzenberg Mountain range in Ceres, at an altitude of 960 meters above sea level, this
unique ‘appellation’ exhibits South Africa’s only truly continental climate with winter temperatures frequently dropping below freezing.
The cooler night-time temperatures and hotter daytime temperatures during the growing season results in slower ripening and more concentrated fruit. Ceres fruit displays surprising cooler climate characteristics in comparison to other regions of the Western Cape.
Well-drained, soft, yellow shale soils. In winter, the vineyard soil is often covered with a layer of snow which provides the perfect conditions for dormancy of the vines, a much-needed resting and recovery period before the growth season starts.
The Harvest
Handpicked at the break of dawn.
The Cellar
Carefully selected grapes are destemmed, crushed and lightly pressed at De Grendel with a recovery of only 650 litres per ton.
After two days of settling, the juice is inoculated and transferred to 225 litre French Oak barrels for
fermen-tation of which 1/3 is new, 1/3 is second fill and 1/3 is third fill. The wine is barrel aged ‘sur lie’ for 6 months whilst undergoing ‘bâtonnage’. Bâtonnage is the method of stirring up the lees and takes place twice a week before malolactic fermentation and once a month after malolactic fermentation to enhance the mouth feel and structure of the wine.
Aging Potential
10 years
Award
2019
Global Chardonnay Masters 2019 Master
Winemag Chardonnay Report 2019 90 Points
2018
Decanter Wine Awards 2019 Gold
IWSC 2019 Gold (96 Points)
Michelangelo International Wine Awards 2019 Gold
Tim Atkin SA Report 2019 94 Points
Veritas Awards 2019 Double Gold
Winemag Chardonnay Report 2019 95 Points (Top Score
2017
Tim Atkin SA Report 2018 94 Points
Platter’s Guide 2019 4 1/2 Stars
2016
China Wine & Spirits Awards 2017 Gold
Platter’s Guide 2018 4 1/2 Stars
2015
China Wine & Spirits Awards 2016 Gold
Global Chardonnay Masters 2016 Gold
Michelangelo International Wine Awards 2016 Gold
Tim Atkin SA Report 2016 90 Point
2014
The Sommeliers Selection 2015 – Elegant/Classy White
Tim Atkin SA Report 2015 90 Points
2013
Michelangelo International Wine Awards 2014 Gold
Platter’s Guide 2015 4 stars
Vitis Vinifera Awards 2014 Gold
