Elgin Vintners Range Chardonnay 2022

The Elgin Vintners Range Chardonnay 2022 is a remarkable example of the exquisite wines produced in South Africa’s Elgin Valley, the coolest wine region in the country. This Chardonnay benefits profoundly from the unique climatic and geological conditions of its terroir, resulting in a wine that is both complex and elegantly structured.

Terroir:
Elgin Valley’s proximity to the sea, just 92-200 kilometers away, combined with its mean February temperatures ranging from 9°C to 20°C during the ripening stage, plays a crucial role in the development of the grapes. The soils are primarily ferruginous gravel atop weathered Bokkeveld Group shale, located at altitudes of 200-600 meters. The surrounding Table Mountain sandstone mountains, reaching up to 900 meters, provide shelter from the strong south-easterly winds, ensuring a stable growing environment that enhances the vines’ potential.

Vinification:
The vinification process for the Elgin Vintners Range Chardonnay 2022 is meticulously managed to highlight the grape’s natural qualities. The grapes are whole bunch pressed and then fermented in a mix of French oak barrels, a concrete egg, and a foudre, using both natural fermentation and inoculation with commercial French yeast. This method helps to preserve the wine’s inherent fruit flavors while introducing subtle complexities. The wine remains in barrel, on lees, without racking, with lees stirring conducted monthly until bottling. This technique enhances the wine’s texture and contributes to its overall complexity.

Wine Specifications:

Alcohol: 13.5%
Total Acidity: 6 g/l (Tartaric)
Residual Sugar: 4.6 g/l
pH: 3.5
The Elgin Vintners Range Chardonnay 2022 is characterized by its balanced acidity and nuanced flavor profile, reflecting the meticulous care in its crafting. The interaction between the cool climate, iron-rich soils, and innovative winemaking techniques results in a Chardonnay that is not only refreshing but also rich in texture and complexity.

Ideal for pairing with creamy seafood dishes, roasted poultry, or richly flavored cheeses, this Chardonnay is a testament to the potential of the Elgin Valley as a premier wine-producing region. It captures the essence of its environment, offering a sophisticated and memorable drinking experience that is emblematic of high-quality South African Chardonnay.