Reserve Chardonnay 2023

Serve with grilled fish dishes or creamy pastas.

ORIGIN

This Chardonnay originates from various vineyards on the farm. One vineyard has more shale on the Schaapenberg, and tends to be more linear and mineral in its portrayal of the varietal. The other vineyards are on granitic soils, which are more textural in composition. The final portion comes from alluvial soils, and is more floral and aromatic.

VINIFICATION

The grapes were hand-harvested and sorted in the vineyards. We whole-bunch press most of the Chardonnay, a small portion is destemmed and pressed. We then take the Chardonnay to barrel with varying NTUs. We barrel ferment all of our Chardonnay using both spontaneous and inoculated fermentations. The wine undergoes partial malolactic fermentation in barrel, and some batonage, depending on vintage conditions. We use different barrel types in various sizes and toasting levels. After 10 months we blend and take it to bottle.

ANALYSIS

Alc: 13.5%
PH: 3.4
TA: 6.7 g/l
RS: 2.8 g/l

MATURATION

This Chardonnay is fantastic when youthful, but improves with time.

Reserve Chardonnay 2023

Vergelegen Chardonnay Reserve 2018

• Atkin – 92
• Platter – ’93 – 4½ stars

Vergelegen Chardonnay Reserve 2017

• Atkin – 92
• Martin – 90
• Platter – ’93 – 4½ stars

Vergelegen Chardonnay Reserve 2016

• Atkin – 92
• Martin – 94
• Platter – ’93 – 4½ stars

Vergelegen Chardonnay Reserve 2015

• Tanzer – 91
• Atkin – 91
• Martin – 92

Vergelegen Chardonnay Reserve 2014

• Tanzer – 92
• Atkin – 91

Vergelegen Chardonnay Reserve 2013

• Tanzer – 91+
• Atkin – 93
• Martin – 92