Zevenwacht Chardonnay 2017
So lovely to be able to taste a Zevenwacht Wine of this stature. The Zevenwacht Chardonnay 2017 is virus free material, planted in 2005 in two blocks in decomposed granite soils on some of the higher and best south west facing slopes on the Polkadraai Hills. The wines have a beautiful natural acidity, which combined with all the other components in a wine allows for the wine to mature beautifully if cool cellared. The leaf canopies are opened up towards the end of the ripening cycle to provide sunlight to the bunches which adds richness and excellent fruit flavours in the resulting wines.
Chardonnay grapes in the hands of the harvester
The grapes for the Zevenwacht Chardonnay 2017 were hand harvested and taken to the cellar. Here they were destalked and lightly crushed. The juice was cool settled before being taken to 500L French oak barrels, 30% new barrels, 40% 2nd fill and 30% 3rd fill barrels for fermentation and maturation for 11 months. These were lightly toasted, more as a support for the fabulous fruit than an equal partner. Extended post fermentation lees contact with regular lees stirring lent a mid-palate weight and a creamy texture without obscuring the aromas. The barrels were then blended, and the wine was prepared for bottling.
Pour
From a Burgundy shaped bottle, closed with natural cork. The label is simple and elegant and says what it needs to. In the glass, the gem bright wine is a pale golden straw with flashed of lime green. The aromas are, as expected, beguiling citrus, fresh sliced really ripe pears and the oak and its concomitant spices and nuts. The palate is weighty, creamy, full in the middle, abundant citrus, dry, silk scarf silky smooth with a lovely lanolin mouthfeel. Refreshing long and gently waning aftertaste.
Pair
This is a food wine, so perfect with any number of dishes, even roast pork belly, crackling and real gravy. My longtime friend, the well-known Prue Leith, currently judging the Great British Bake Off, just written her first book in 25 years, her story of fame goes on and on and on… Her food is so relevant to today as it was thirty years or more ago. Prue Leith’s Gnocchi with Peas, Bacon & Parmesan, which she kindly has agreed to my using, is a great match with the Zevenwacht Chardonnay 2017.
Click HERE for her recipe.
Read more about Zevenwacht Wines – CLICK HERE