Durbanville Hills Rhinofields Chardonnay 2011

Name: Durbanville Hills Rhinofields Chardonnay 2011
Brand: Durbanville Hills Rhinofields
SKU: 27616

Colour: Light straw with olive green tint.
Bouquet: Zesty citrus, peach, dried apricots backed by cedar, wood spice and almonds.
Taste: Full-bodied, creamy and elegant on the palette with hints of orange.

Pairs exceptionally well with pork casserole with a creamy sauce, cured ham, smoked eisbein, crayfish thermdor and salmon.

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variety : Chardonnay [ 100% Chardonnay ]

winery : Durbanville Hills Wine

winemaker : Martin Moore and Gunther Kellerman

wine of origin :

analysis : alc : 14.23 % vol rs : 1.5 g/l pH : 3.64 ta : 6.2 g/l

type : White style : Dry body : Full wooded

pack : Bottle size : 0 closure : Cork

AWARDS

China Wine Awards 2012 - Gold
Veritas Wine Awards 2012 - Bronze
Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show 2012 - Bronze

in the vineyard : Background
Nine leading vineyard owners in the Durbanville district joined forces with Distell to create Durbanville Hills with the aim of promoting the regional individuality of this prime wine growing area. The striking Durbanville Hills cellar sits on the side of a series of rolling hills with magnificent views of Table Mountain and Table Bay - the very geography that lies at the heart of what makes the wines so unique. The Durbanville ward is officially considered one of the Cape's two coolest wine regions, thanks to the sea breezes that drift inland from False Bay and Table Bay and the late afternoon mists that bathe the slopes. These conditions are ideal for the slow ripening of the grapes, allowing them to develop their full-flavoured, intense character. Grapes are sourced only from the shareholder-growers, all of whom farm within the limited appellation of Durbanville. Meticulous crop control limits yields and promotes concentration of varietal flavour. Cellarmaster Martin Moore uses highly advanced cellar technology to ensure optimal extraction of colour and flavour.

Sustainable practices include maintaining the disciplines imposed by International Environmental Standard ISO 140001 such as in the treatment of waste water back to irrigation quality. In all its vineyards the growing practices prescribed by IPW (Integrated Production of Wine) are followed. These are designed to sustain natural resources. In addition, the members protect on their farms 210 ha of endangered Renosterveld as part of the Biodiversity Wine Initiative (BWI).

The Rhinofields range carries very limited release wines and the name refers to the indigenous Cape fynbos growing close to the Durbanville Hills cellar and which is being conserved.

The vineyards (vineyard consultant: Drikus Heyns)
The grapes were sourced from two of the nine Durbanville Hills member farms. The vineyards are low yielding and trellised. In all instances, the grapes were picked fully ripe after selective crop control during the growing season.

about the harvest: The grapes were harvested by hand between 24° and 26° Balling in March.

in the cellar : The grapes from each vineyard were individually vinified. 50% percent was fermented in stainless steel tanks between 12° and 15° C and left on the lees for 6 months, racked and tank matured for another 6months. It was mixed with the lees occasionally to impart freshness and a full body that would not be overwhelmed by wood. The balance was crushed and fermented down to 18° Balling in the tank, transferred to new French oak barrels and racked off the fermentation lees after 2 months. The wine was matured for a further 10 months on its fine lees in medium toasted tight grain barrels where it was rolled every fortnight to enhance exposure to the lees. There is a reduction in the ingress of oxygen into the wine and an enhancement of the oak extraction if the barrel is kept closed. The technique has imparted a deliciously creamy texture to the wine and ensured a seamless integration with oak.

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