DMZ Chardonnay 2010

Bright, old gold. Sweet vanilla and hints of almonds on the front of the nose with clean tropical fruit to follow. Delicate oak support. Rich and full in the mouth with layers of full fruit flavours including apricot and white peach and always the vanilla backing. Spicy, brisk finish will lend to a few more years of bottle development.

Technical Detail
Alcohol        14.0  %vol
pH               3.45
RS               2.8 g/l
Total acid     5.7 g/l
Origin          Western Cape

In the Vineyard
A significant portion of the Chardonnay vineyards are situated on the farm DeMorgenzon in the Stellenbosch kloof. The vineyard is managed to ensure natural high acidity and full flavour concentration. The yield was 8 tons ( 53 hl/ha – only free-run juice used) per hectare. In addition we source some of the finest Chardonnay fruit from around the Cape.

The Harvest
The grapes were handpicked and selected in the early morning at between 24.0º and 24.8º Balling. The yield was 8 (56hl/ha – only free- run juice used) tons per hectare with fresh natural acidities and excellent pH balance. Fruit is only harvested when wonderfully yellow and expressing the riper spectrum of Chardonnay fruit.

In the Cellar
Bunch selection was done in the vineyard. The grapes were lightly crushed and the free-run juice was allowed to settle overnight. A combination of natural yeast and careful inoculation was used in making this wine. The juice with the fluffy lees was then fermented in French oak barrels. Fermentation took place in a 14 ºC cellar but actual fermentation temperatures were not monitored. Chardonnay matured in barrel for ten months on the lees: thereafter it was racked, lightly filtered and bottled.

Ageing Potential
This wine is drinking very now and will improve over the next four years and should last for many more to come.