Good Hope Chardonnay, Un-oaked, dry Chardonnay, less stirred, texture, fresh stone fruits, notes of bruised apple, delightful. It is always pleasant to taste a wine and then be surprised when you are told the price and Good Hope Chardonnay is such a wine. From mature, trellised vineyards right on the bank of the Breede River the Chardonnay grapes are selected from four vineyard blocks, on a gentle slope, bedded on several metres of large, oval sandstone river stones. Generally a hot region, this spot benefits in fact from the moderating factor of the river, as well as an altitude of 350 – 370m above sea level. Green harvest thinning is carried out sufficiently early in the growing cycle, allowing for focused development of a smaller yield (around 55hl/ha) than customary in this region. Attention is paid to retaining natural acidity and minerality whilst manipulating the canopy to promote phenolic ripeness, without developing high sugars and thus excessive alcohol. The grapes are vinified with minimum skin contact, using free run juice only and reductively handled to obtain fresh, clear juice. After a cool fermentation in stainless steel tank the wine is kept on lees for 2 months, with regular batonnage. Overall the focus is on fruit retention, natural amplification of flavours through lees work and fresh, natural minerality and acidity. Crunchy apple flavours, a hint of flint with good length, it is hopefully good value and then some. Try it blind next to your ‘it was a bargain’ from the supermarket Chablis, this would likely win hands down!
Is Vegan? | Yes |
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Bottle Size | 750ml |
Production Method | Natural |
Producer | Good Hope |
Country | South Africa |
Region | Stellenbosch, SA |
Vintage | 2021 |
Wine Type | Dry White Wine |
Wine Style | Medium bodied |
Grape | Chardonnay |
Alcohol | 13% abv |
Maturation | 6 months in steel |
Total Sulphur | Approx 75 mg/l |
Annual Production | 30 - 50,000 bottles |
Ageing Potential | Best young or within 3 years of the vintage |
Food Matching | Antipasti, Poultry |
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