Pale in color with a mild apple/pear nose. On the mid palate the wine displays varietal apple and pear notes to match the nose. On the medium length finish there’s some mild vanilla notes along with some nice acidity. This is a gently oaked wine. I would give it an 88 or so. It’s a nice chard for sure, and for the price not a bad deal. I’m not sure it’s about to displace the Sterling Vintners chard as one of my everyday gotos but variety is always a good thing.
From the LCBO web site:
Boschendal 1685 Chardonnay — LCBO#: 367698
STYLE – Full-bodied & Rich
Pale lemon; intense aromas of ripe stone fruit, apple, peach, citrus and spice; the palate is extra-dry and full body; well-balanced flavours with a creamy, buttery mouth feel and refreshing acidity with a long finish. $14.95
PRODUCT DETAILS
Release Date:October 27, 2014
Alcohol/Vol 14.0% Made in: Wellington, South Africa By:Dgb (Pty) Ltd. Sugar Content:2 g/L Sweetness Descriptor: XD – Extra Dry Style:Full-bodied & Rich
from the winery’s web site:
VINIFICATION
All the Chardonnay grapes were whole-bunch pressed and the juice cold settled for two days. Thereafter the clear juice
was racked and some of the pure fluffy solids were added to result in an unclear high-quality juice. Natural fermentation
started in stainless steel tanks. After about 2°B was fermented naturally, selected yeast strains were added, and some of the
juice was then transferred into French oak barrels for the remainder of the fermentation. Still on its primary lees, the
wine matured for a further 10 months in barrel: 12% in firstfill and the balance in second-, third- and fourth-fill barrels.
During this time, the barrels underwent monthly bâtonnage (stirring of the lees) to enhance the mouthfeel of the wine.
The final blend consisted of 70% oak-fermented and matured and 30% stainless steel fermented Chardonnay. The latter
component was also left on the primary lees for the full 10-month period.
TASTING NOTES
On the nose: This bold statement wine, which is big onaromas and flavours, has a lemony, cinnamon and nutmeg
nose.
VINEYARDS
Chardonnay for this wine was selected from three areas:
Stellenbosch, Elgin Valley and Boschendal farm, from vineyards planted on well-drained soils. The variety of clones
within the selected vineyards gave complexity and character to the wine. Vines were spur pruned at the end of July, with
excess shoots removed shortly after budding in September. This was followed up in November, leaving only two to three
of the best-developed shoots per spur.
To ensure optimum ripeness, all grapes were hand-picked on taste and came in at an average sugar content of 22.5–24°B.
Harvest took place during mid to end February 2015, after a drier than normal winter. This was a challenging vintage,
where winemakers and viticulturist had to change strategies in the vineyard and cellar to adapt to the vintage to ensure
good quality wine.
AGEING POTENTIAL
Enjoy now but will age with much complexity for the next five to eight years
Palate: Zesty citrus and ripe tropical fruit flavours. Well balanced with a soft, buttery character from barrel fermentation and maturation add to the complexity and roundness of the wine.
