‘Menagerie – Mountain’

Chardonnay | Piekenierskloof / Ceres Plateau - South Africa

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About

The Menagerie line allows John a space for exploration and experimentation. His ‘Mountain’ Chardonnay is a blend of two high altitude sites in the Western Cape that compliment each other beautifully. The Piekenierskloof fruit is broad and spicy, while the Ceres Pleateau fruit is linear and mineral. Both come together to deliver gorgeous, cooler climate South African Chardonnay that John and Tasha love to drink.

The grapes were handpicked and fermented separately without inoculation in barrels of various sizes (228 – 500L). All the ferments were on full solids, and there was no skin contact. After nine months the wines were racked to a blending tank to settle where they are bottled with a small addition of sulfur and a crossflow filtration.

Stats

Grapes: 100% Chardonnay
Vineyard: Tierhoek (Piekenierskloof) - Koelfontein (Ceres Plateau)
Vine Age: 18-year-old (Piekenierskloof) - 9-years-old (Ceres Plateau)
Soil Type: Sandstone (Piekenierskloof) - Clay (Ceres Plateau)
Viticulture: Practicing organic
Fermentation: Native – older 228 and 500L oak barrels
Skin Contact: None
Aging: 9 months on gross less in older oak 228-500L
Alcohol: 13%
pH: 3.4
Total Acidity: 6.6 g/L
Total SO2: 95 ppm
Total Production: 267 cases
UPC: 659525910549

Tasting Notes

A burst of lemon on the nose is accompanied by intriguing, elusive secondary notes of white flowers and almonds. The palate has a rich fruit concentration and zesty acidity, leading to a crisp, pithy finish. Energetic and richly flavored.

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2022

‘Menagerie – Mountain’

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