Jordan

2004 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

Chardonnay.

Vineyards

Harvested from mature vineyards (12 – 17 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 12 February and 3 March 2004 between 22.3 and 24.5˚B.

Winemaking

The juice was barrel-fermented in a selection of 228 litre Burgundy-shaped French oak barrels (50% new, 30% second-fill and 20% third 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. 11.5% tank-fermented Chardonnay was blended with the barrel-fermented wine to ensure well-balanced 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: 13.5%, TA: 5.9g/l, pH: 3.4, RS: 2.6g/l