Vineyard /Soil:
Highest Single chardonnay vineyard on the Slopes of the Helderberg in the Stellenbosch Region; 550 metres above sea level. Predominantly decomposed granite and shale.
Age of vines:
14 Years old
Clone:
Multi clone planting on R99
Yield:
5 tons/ha or around 32 hl/ha
Harvest statistics:
Grapes harvested at 22.0°B to 23°B
All grapes are handpicked only in the early morning during cooler weather, placed into lug boxes (smaller quantities mean reduced compaction and damage to the fruit) and then hand-sorted on sorting tables. Grapes harvested from the morning side of the vineyard and afternoon side are kept separate and made apart.
Vinification:
The grapes were treated in various ways either whole bunch pressed or destemmed and crushed. All pressing cycles are gentle and only free-run juice is used, followed by natural fermentation in small French oak barrels and then a small % of the wine is allowed to complete malolactic fermentation for added complexity.
Maturation:
11 Months in small French oak barrels with lees stirring (batonage) when needed.
Bottled:
January 2010
Analysis:
Alcohol 14%, Residual sugar 3.5g/litre, TA 7.21 g/litre, pH 3.25
Tasting Note:
Ebullient aromas of lime and peach, with beautiful mineral notes and excellent oak integration. Dense flavour’s of citrus with a creamy complexity with a rich intense finish that lingers forever on the palate.
TOTAL PRODUCTION:
800 CASES 0F 6 OR 15 BARRELS 228 LITRES
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