A pale golden colour with a clear, bright edge. On the nose the citrus characteristics are vibrant, combined with hints of yellow and stone fruit, are balanced by a lively acidity that tempts interest.The palate has a rich entry that shows rich pineapple, apricot and peach flavours, resulting in a generous mid-palate weight. The richer notes are elegantlylifted by a balanced acidity on the side-palate, emphasised through lighter aromatic notes of orange blossom and lemon rind.
The Ijsland Chardonnay gets its name from the windswept hill where the grapes are planted.The twin vineyards, located on the slopes of the Stormsvlei Mountains, were planted at an elevation of ±130m above sea level, in 2003 and 2004 respectively. Here, South-Easterly oceanic summer winds offer respite during hot ripening months.The vineyards, one facing South-East, the other North-East, but both with North-South row directions, are planted in soils comprising decomposed shale and sandstone with a prominent quarts component.Each block contributes a unique character and together, a vivacious harmony is captured in the bottle.
Grapes were hand harvested and immediately pressed on two separate dates. Using 225 litre French-Oak barrels, ranging between 4th and 6th fill, the juice was divided up into four barrels. Fermentation, over two separate factions, were done through yeast inoculation on half of the barrels and wild yeast fermentation on the remaining half. Cold-fermentation at around 16ºC, for about 10 days, were followed by maturation in the same barrels for 12 months. During the first 6 months of maturation, batonnage was done once a week.
Côtes de Provence · France · 37.5 cl · 12%
Burgundy · France · 13.5%
