Sourced from cool-climate vineyards in Elgin within South Africa’s Cape Fold mountain range, this Chardonnay 2024 comes from Koffieklip soils rich in iron and stony material, naturally restricting vine vigour and pushing concentration through low yields and deep root penetration. The site’s pronounced diurnal range (varience between coolest temperatures in the evening and hottest temperatures in the afternoon) extends ripening, preserving precision while building mid-palate depth. Harvested for tension rather than sheer ripeness, the fruit was whole-bunch pressed at a low recovery rate. The juice settled overnight before undergoing barrel fermentation using two yeast strains. Lees stirring was applied weekly to build texture through both primary and malolactic fermentation, followed by six months on lees, racking and return to barrel, and a total of eleven months élevage before blending selection. The wine was then bottled and held for a further six months prior to release. Residaul Sugar 1.8g/L. Bottled at 13%(Bottle size 750ml).

Nose: Pure and tightly focused, opening with citrus oil, lemon peel, and white peach, layered over subtle hints of toasted hazelnut, wet stone, and a quiet vanilla spice that never tries to steal the show.

Palate: Precise and finely structured, driven by citrus and orchard fruit at the core, unfolding into white peach, green apple, and a gentle creaminess from lees contact and barrel work. The texture is layered rather than heavy, with a linear energy that keeps everything in check and moving forward.

Finish: Long, saline, and quietly powerful, with bright, mouth-watering acidity giving the wine its backbone. A fine, chalky grip lingers with crushed stone, citrus zest, and a restrained savoury oak echo that tapers slowly rather than fading abruptly.