Product Description
Elgin, South Africa
Varieties
100% Chardonnay
The Vineyard
Currently there are 13.7 hectares planted to Chardonnay on the estate, which equates to 18.2% of the
total plantings. Clones include 76, 95 175, 270, 548 and 1066. The first vines were planted in 1987 and
the youngest blocks in 2016. Vines range in age from 2 to 31 years. The soil is predominantly
decomposed Bokkeveld Shale with underlying clay layers of varying depths. Vines are planted on East, South east facing and South- South West facing slopes. The vineyard height above sea level ranges from 280 to 350 meters.
The Harvest
Weather conditions leading to the 2018 harvest was a dry season but not warm. The first Chardonnay
was harvested on the 16th of February and the last on the 8th of March. Fortunately, we do
experience very cool night temperatures in Elgin, this helped the grapes retain freshness.
The Cellar
This wine was made from a 100% non-inoculated fermentation in a selection of French oak barrels.
(33% new, the rest 2nd; 3rd and 4th fill.) Lees stirring was done and the wine remained on the lees for
a total of nine months. Only 38% of the wine went through malolactic fermentation, all without
inoculation, further ensuring freshness and acidity. After tasting and blending trials, the wine was
assembled, stabilised and prepared for bottling.
Alcohol 13.69%
Total Acidity 6.5g/l
Residual Sugar 1.9g/l
pH 3.35
Production 6 860 cases (x6)
