Jordan
2001 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 (13 – 16 years old) planted to 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 8th and 13th March 2002 at between 22º and 24.2º Balling.
Winemaking
The juice was barrel-fermented in a selection of 228 litre Burgundy-shaped French oak barrels (47% new and 53% second-fill Nevers and Burgundian oak barrels from selected French cooperages). The wine was matured “sur lie” in the barrel for 9 months with occasional rolling of the barrels to accentuate the leesy character. 12% tank-fermented Chardonnay was blended with the barrel-fermented wine to ensure a good balance of citrus flavours. Both the tank and barrel-fermented Chardonnay underwent malo-lactic fermentation.
Tasting Notes
A powerful expression of Chardonnay. Brimming with fruit flavour and elegance. A buttery toastiness from the oak rounds off the complex hazelnut and citrus flavours.
Analysis
Alc: 14%, TA: 6.1g/l, pH: 3.36, RS: 2.6g/l
Awards
Received a Gold Medal at the 2002 SA Trophy Wine Show
Received a Gold Medal at the 2002 Juliet Cullinan Wine Masters Awards
Received 5 stars in Wine Magazine (July 2002)
Received 4½ stars in the 2003 John Platter Guide
Received a Médailles d’Argent 2003 at the Concours Mondial du Vin Bruxelles