Oak Valley Beneath the Clouds Chardonnay 2016

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Technical Analysis

Winemaker - Adam Mason
Main Variety - Chardonnay
Alcohol - 13.81 %vol
pH - 3.36
RS - 3.0 g/l
Total Acid - 6.0 g/l
Appellation - Elgin

Characteristics

Type - White
Style - Dry
Body - Full


Tasting Notes

High up along the foothills of the Groenlandberg in the cool climate of Elgin, the Summer South East wind brings in a cooling blanket of cloud that slows the ripening and brings incredible character to this wine

Blend Information

100% Chardonnay

In The Vineyard

The Cape Doctor that brings the cloud cover during the ripening period allows the wine to fully ripen in the vineyard while still retaining a beautiful natural acidity. Wild yeast fermentation in older French Oak Barriques results in a wine that has beautiful structure and complexity.

About The Harvest

This Chardonnay expresses generous lemon-citrus aromas, almonds, oyster shell and flint. This fresh lemon-citrus follows on the palate with ruby grapefruit as the dominant character. Lovely full mid-palate with the citrus fruits supported by sweet zesty spice. This will please those who enjoy wooded, but fresher-styled Chardonnays.

Additional Information

The South-Easter, known locally as the Cape Doctor, is our prevailing wind in summer. In Elgin, the Cape Doctor blows cold sea air over the vineyards and blankets the valley under cloud. These clouds lower our daytime temperatures and slow the ripening of our chardonnay grapes, leading to better flavour development. Here in lies the magic of Beneath the Clouds.


Other Vintages

Wine Wine Maker Main Variety
Oak Valley Beneath the Clouds Chardonnay 2018 Quentin Gobregts Chardonnay
Oak Valley Beneath the Clouds Chardonnay 2016 Adam Mason Chardonnay
  +27.218592510       +27.218593405       wines@oak-valley.co.za
Oak Valley, P.O. Box 30, Elgin, 7180, South Africa