Eikendal Chardonnay 2022

The Chardonnay 2022 has notes of orange peel and perfume with a freshness, and tightness on the palate. A mineral core with strong acidity is driving this wine. Small complexities with all its secrets still close to its chest.

Pair with Thai Curries, Caesar Salad, Smoked Snoek & Biltong.

variety : Chardonnay [ 100% Chardonnay ]
winemaker : Maryke Botha
wine of origin : Stellenbosch
analysis : alc : 12.5 % vol  rs : 1.5 g/l  pH : 3.27  ta : 6.5 g/l  
type : White  style : Dry  body : Medium  taste : Mineral   wooded
pack : Bottle  size : 0  closure : Cork  

AWARDS
2023 Platter's 4.5 Stars
in the vineyard : 20% Elgin Clone CY 277, 60% Eikendal Clone CY 95, 96 and 20% from Klein Moerbei (STB)
CY 548.

Elgin Smarag CY 277 – The Bone Structure:
This is just the most beautiful vineyard. Planted in a valley very close to a dam in “Koffieklip”
(“Coffee Stone”) with high clay content it has very cold evenings and more humid days for
Elgin. Highly exposed to wind and with medium vigour it fits perfectly for this clone.
Winemaker uses CY 277 (MCC clone) which is mostly used in SA for MCC, specifically for
Chardonnay for its high acidity and perfumed profile. The block is not irrigated and so vines
are in survival mode all the time bringing us closer to that mineral core that we are searching
for. This block is planted 2.4m x 1.2m and IS in a VSP system.

about the harvest: Vines only receive post-harvest irrigation thus NO irrigation before harvesting. It is planted in decomposed granite with gravel and white clay +/- 60-80cm deep. Fully exposed to the South-easterly winds and receive cool air from False Bay. This is the perfect area for growing Chardonnay and my approach to growing these vines always keep them in survival mode. These vines undergo harsh treatment and left to their own devices, surviving day to day. There are no big flavours or big tannins but rather pure granite in a bush vine bunch. The perfect marriage.

in the cellar : 

The different vineyards is very small individual vineyards ranging from 0.2Ha-1Ha. Winemaker produces one barrel, two or maybe three barrels from a site. All individually crafted with its own unique character. Blended together after 12-14 months. All vineyards are handpicked and cooled down to 1°C before entering the cellar for whole bunch pressing. Settling overnight to between 300-400 NTU’s. Racked to stainless steel tanks where the spontaneous fermentation has will start. Winemaker will allow 50% of the fermentation to be completed in stainless steel tank and then he moves the must to barrel.

Each block has its own unique batch of barrels. 80% of the barrels are custom made by Burgundian Winemaker Bruno Lorenzon from the forest Pierre du Bourgogne and 20% is from Stephane Chassin. Bruno Lorenzon barrels are untoasted; this gives us extreme purity and tightness on palate. Chassin gives us flinty, salt-like character. Previous vintage wine will be racked out and the new fermenting must will be pumped onto the lees of the previous vintage. Thus, the 2nd fill barrel has 2 vintages of lees, 3rd fill three and 4th fill four vintages of lees in. This adds more complexity.

Barrels are 500ℓ and 15% new is used. No bâtonnage or stirring. After blending, the wine goes to stainless steel and are allowed to settle clean. We will do a very rough filtration and take it to bottle.

find our wines in :

OTHER VINTAGES

Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Chardonnay