Chardonnay 2024

Meerlust, fact sheet (meerlust.co.za – linket fra meerlust.co.za, hentet 2026-10-18): 2024 Meerlust Chardonnay – område: Stellenbosch; druer: Chardonnay; alkohol 13.3%. W.O. står ikke på arket; druerne er ifølge arket fra godset, som ligger i Stellenbosch. Producentens noter (engelsk): Season: A Cold and wet 2023 winter meant replenished ground water and with sufficient cold units, resulted in even budding in warmer than normal temperatures in August. Unusually high rainfall led to flooding and lower temperatures in September, ultimately causing a slow start to the growing season. However, no rain was experienced further and the growing period, and especially flowering, was marked by high wind speeds. These drying conditions ensured steady growth and good healthy canopies. A warmer than normal January and February meant that the ripening period was pulled earlier, and care had to be given to early ripening varieties like Chardonnay and Pinot noir with our aim to ensure freshness with the abundance of fruit and concentration that the season was providing. The above factors all combined to result in a lighter crop, but with excellent concentration and fruit intensity across our varietal range with our buffered ocean influence allowing balanced expressions. Vinification: Picking of grapes were done by a team of experienced pickers ensuring optimal selection of fruit. After pressing, juice was settled overnight and racked with some fine solids to the fermentation vessel. A mix of 30% new, 33% second fill and 32% third fill 300lt barrels are used, and this vintage sees 8% fermented in concrete tank. Fermentation is either with selected yeast or through natural spontaneous fermentation. The wine is matured until it reaches the desired mouth feel and complexity. After removing the wine from barrel, it undergoes a light fining before bottling. Terroir: Our Chardonnay is an expression of the two sites of the Meerlust estate and illustrates the unique climate and soil of the farm. The wine draws fruit from blocks located on two of our four distinctive terroirs namely - Compagniesdrift - The soils from this warm north facing slope are predominantly formed from weathered granite. The wines originating from this granitic hilltop are expressive and bold in structure, mainly due to the coarse gravelly texture and sufficient soil depth to promote long and even ripening. […]