Rietvallei Special Select Chardonnay 2008

Rietvallei Special Select Chardonnay is a full-bodied, complex wine with excellent fruit and wood integration. Lots of work in the vineyard and minimal interference in the cellar allows this wine to express its terroir to the fullest.

A complex nose with appealing roasted citrus aromas and vibrant lime and toasty oak flavours, also revealing nuances of butterscotch with touches of pineapple and white pear. The palate is full and well balanced with rich citrus flavours, subtle oak and a firm acid. Added toastiness emerges on the end-palate and a long-lasting aftertaste makes for a satisfying finish.

variety : Chardonnay [ 100% Chardonnay ]

winery : Rietvallei Wine Estate

winemaker : Kobus Burger

wine of origin : Breede River

analysis : alc : 14.84 % vol rs : 7.3 g/l pH : 3.58 ta : 7.4 g/l va : 063 g/l so2 : 173 mg/l fso2 : 32 mg/l

type : White style : Dry body : Full taste : Fruity wooded

pack : Bottle closure : Cork

in the vineyard : This Chardonnay is made from a single vineyard called 'Die Kop' (which translates to 'hill') planted on top of a hill close to the cellar. The vines are planted in rich calcareous soil and faces northwest, situated 152 meters above sea level.

The selection process for this special cuvée already started with the identification of this specific vineyard and working at it with special care - from pruning right through to harvesting - ensuring a low yield (approximately 8 tons per hectare) and premium quality.

about the harvest: The grapes were picked by hand at 24.5° B (Brix).

in the cellar : After crushing only the free-run juice was chosen and after settling the clean juice was taken directly to 300-liter barrels. These consist out of new French and American barrels. Each barrel was then individually inoculated with a specific yeast strain. After alcoholic fermentation the barrels were tasted and only those showing the most potential were left to mature for three months with regular stirring (once a week) and topping (once every fortnight). After maturation each barrel was tasted, scored and rated and only the finest were chosen for this special release. This is truly a selection of Rietvallei's finest.

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