Jordan

1997 Jordan Chardonnay

Description

Spectacular panoramic views of Stellenbosch and Cape Town, cool hillside vineyards planted to classic varieties, and a modern family-run winery have combined to produce distinctive wines displaying the ripe concentrated fruity accessibility of the New World, with the complex elegance of classic wine styles.

Variety

100% Chardonnay.

Vineyards

Harvested from mature vineyards (10 – 12 years old) of selected Davis and Burgundian clones. The vineyards are situated on cooler south and east-facing slopes (250-310m above sea level). Vertical hedge trellising and low yields ensure a complex concentration of flavours. The vineyards are unirrigated.

Harvest Date

The grapes were harvested between 5 and 25 March 1997 at between 22.5º and 23.2º Balling.

Winemaking

The juice was barrel-fermented in a selection of 228 litre Burgundy-shaped French oak barrels (65% new and 35% second- and third-fill Nevers and Burgundian oak barrels from selected French cooperages). The wine was matured “sur lie” in the barrel for 6 months with occasional “batonage” to accentuate the leesy character. 90% of the Chardonnay underwent malo-lactic fermentation in the barrel. 27% tank-fermented Chardonnay was blended with the barrel-fermented wine to ensure a good balance of citrus flavours.

Tasting Notes

A barrel-fermented Chardonnay. Full creamy/citrus flavours with an elegant, well-balanced, rich, toasty finish.

Analysis

Alc: 13%,  TA: 6.2g/l,  pH: 3.37,  RS: 2.2g/l