Eikendal Chardonnay

VINTAGE: 1996

DESCRIPTION: Highlights of peach, lemon and vanilla. The Chardonnay is easy-drinking when young, and will evolve extra dimensions for three to four years.

ORIGIN: Stellenbosch

CLIMATE: Mediterranean - dry warm summers and cold wet winters. Close to the sea, enjoying both the benefits of the cooling south-east breezes from False Bay, and the gentle warmth of the afternoon sun

SOIL: Decomposed sandstone mixed with clay. The Chardonnay vineyards are planted on different levels facing north and north-west, making the most of the variations in the soil structure

YIELD: 10,000 kilograms/ha

VINIFICATION: The grapes are harvested by hand in the cool morning hours, at an optimum ripeness of 22.0 - 23.5 degree Balling. It is then directly fermented in new French Oak barriques. It is aged sur lie for three to four months, racked and aged in the barriques for another two or three months.

CHEMICAL ANALYSIS:

Alcohol : 12.44%/Vol

pH : 3.37

Total acidity : 5.6g/l

Sugar : 2.7g/l