Jordan

2009 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.

Variety

100% Chardonnay

Vineyards

Harvested from mature vineyards (10 – 24 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 20th February and 13th March 2009 at 21.8 – 24.1˚B.

Winemaking

The juice was barrel-fermented in a selection of 228 litre Burgundy-shaped French oak barrels (50% new and 50% 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. 19% tank-fermented Chardonnay was blended with the barrel-fermented wine to ensure well-balanced citrus flavours. Both the tank and barrel-fermented Chardonnay underwent malolactic 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: 14.0%   TA: 6.8g/l   pH: 3.27   RS: 3.2g/l