Bouchard Finlayson Crocodiles Lair / Kaaimansgat Chardonnay 2003

Selected by SAA for Premium Class
Selected by BA for First Class
Silver Medal (91/100) at Classic Wine Trophy 2004
International Wine Challenge 2005 - Seal of Approval
Wine Style Asia Awards 2005 - Gold Medal
This vintage is characterised by a tightness, showing good maturation nuances. Pear and peach flavours are mingled with smoke, vanilla and oaky lees combination which carry through to a soft creamy finish!

A natural match with poultry, casseroles and richer fish dishes!

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variety : Chardonnay [ 100% Chardonnay ]

winery : Bouchard Finlayson Vineyard

winemaker : Peter Finlayson

wine of origin : Walker Bay

analysis : alc : 14.0 % vol rs : 1.8 g/l pH : 3.31 ta : 5.8 g/l

type : White style : Dry body : Full wooded

pack : Bottle

AWARDS

Selected by SAA for Premium Class
Selected by BA for First Class
Silver Medal (91/100) at Classic Wine Trophy 2004
International Wine Challenge 2005 - Seal of Approval
Wine Style Asia Awards 2005 - Gold Medal

ageing : This vintage is described as being â€œenormously complex and gloriously mouth fillingâ€; ripe with a firm minerality and hints of exotic fruit. Tastes good now but will mature well to reach great complexity with age!

in the vineyard : While historically no crocodiles existed in the lands which have since become known as the Cape Winelands, one wonders what folklore led to calling this romantic location Crocodileâ€™s Lair. Grown at a high elevation of 700 metres in a blind mountain valley behind the village of Villiersdorp their grapes are planted without irrigation, they also ripen about one month later than elsewhere in the Cape. The uniqueness of this terroir is illustrated by particularly great fruit with berries which provide a high skin to juice ratio, an ideal precursor for fine wines. The 2003 Chardonnay vintage has proven to be one of the best in the Cape in recent times. With the lowest crop level since 1996, the forecast of a superb vintage has proved to be correct.

in the cellar : Fermented in classic Burgundian fashion and then matured â€œsur lieâ€ for eight months in traditional 225 litre â€œpiecesâ€, with 30% being first fill barrels. Bottled and matured for fifteen months before release.

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