Technical Specifications
Alcohol 13.06%
Residual Sugar 2.5 g/L
pH 3.41
Calories (estimated) 110 kcal / glass
150ml glass110 kcal
750ml bottle550 kcal
Grape Varieties Chardonnay
Chardonnay100%
Drinking Window 2023-28
Region Elgin
Soil Bokkeveld shale
Grapes Picked 26th February 2021
Brix at Harvest 23.6°
Grape Clone Dijon CY95
Fermentation Vessels Oak Barrel
Pressing Method Whole Cluster
Natural Yeast Yes
Indigenous Yeast Yes
Oak Aging 11 months
Oak Details 100% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak100%
Oak Types French
Barrel Size 228 litre barrels
Production Details 2021 was an outstanding vintage that was cooler and later than the ten-year average. Winter rainfall was significantly higher than the previous season. Budding occurred in late August around normal and once activated, it was very even for Chardonnay. A cool early spring with wetter conditions meant the soils remained cool, leading to a delayed growth of the immature shoots by up to three weeks. Flowering and fruit set was characterised by continuous cool conditions with frequent rain showers. Veraison occurred 2-3 weeks later than average, giving a much longer hangtime than normal. Grapes were hand-picked in the early autumnal mornings, placed into small lug baskets and tipped directly into a press before being gently whole-bunch pressed. The juice gravity-flowed directly to barrel without settling. The unclarified juice had no enzymes or yeast added to it and therefore underwent spontaneous fermentation until dry, with malolactic discouraged. The wine rested in barrel for four months before judicious sulphuring and a further seven months' maturation in barrel before racking, blending and bottling. A small number of artisanal coopers were selected, all from Burgundy and only French oak was chosen. This wine was micro-vinified as a separate batch. In 2021, 100% was new oak using two 228 litre barrels.
Tasting Notes
white peach flesh, nectarine, amplified perfume, persistence, elegance, lucerne, lemon leaves, jasmine, honeysuckle, saline, mineral, lime peel, lemongrass, green melon, dried ginger, apple strudel, citrus fruits, lemon meringue pie, desiccated almonds, flint, orange peel, baked apples, salted nuts
Critics Ratings Tim Atkin: 94/100
Tim Atkin94/100
Producer Information
Website
Address
Elgin, Western Cape, South Africa
Phone
+27 21 200 2589
Email
Owner
Richard Kershaw
Cellarmaster
Richard Kershaw MW