2019 Julien Schaal Evidence Chardonnay, Elgin

A wine born of our passion for this region; in this cuvée we try to express what we most admire in Elgin Chardonnay. Here the natural winemaking process and only very gentle oak-aging allow us to create a wine that is genuinely faithful to its terroir.

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Viticulture

The vines here are probably the oldest in the appellation and they yield fine, concentrated grapes. The Elgin, the 'Cape's coolest', climate helps to conserve a fine natural acidity. The soil is a very stony red clay. The gentle, north-facing slope of the vineyard aides the long and even ripening-process.

This region has a unique climate and topography, consisting of an upland basin plateau, surrounded by mountain ranges on all sides.

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Vinification

The grapes are picked by hand at the coolest time of the day. After a gentle pressing, and a stating setting, the juice goes to 300 litres barrels. Long fermentation allow the wine to show all its potential. The wine then is aged a minimum of 12 months in wood. (20% new, the rest 2nd; 3rd and 4th fill.)