The First Fruit Chardonnay Pinot Noir is a crisp and fruity wine. The Chardonnay contributes fresh and crisp citrus tones to the wine while the Pinot Noir adds red fruit flavours of cherry, watermelon and rose water with hints of grapefruit and strawberries. The wine finishes with a refreshing acid balance on the palate. The strikingly beautiful rose-brass colour of the wine will lighten up any occasion.
Food Pairing
It is a perfect wine for picnics and light lunches. The wine is easy-drinking and will pair well with slightly creamy food with a touch of saltiness added. It pairs well with a carbonara or mussel broth served with fondant potatoes and grilled line fish. The wine is best friends with a smoked trout pâté and likes to flirt with in-season strawberries. It will also pair well with lemon-thyme roast chicken or grilled trout or salmon. Or simple salads and summery meals or picnics.
Lourensford First Fruit Chardonnay/Pinot noir 2016 (6/case) (R79/BOTTLE)
It was the driest year in 100 years of recorded history as we only received half of the average rainfall per year. This was followed by one of the hottest and driest summers in history. Budding started about one week earlier and we did not have severe South Easter winds in the beginning of summer. This resulted in very good budding and flowering of the vines. The drought and high summer temperatures resulted in much faster ripening and the earliest recorded harvest dates in history on Lourensford as well as the shortest harvest ever. The vines were generally very healthy and in good balance and harmony. The berries were smaller and more concentrated. With good canopy management and perfect harvest decisions we managed to bring the grapes in at just the desired time. This resulted in refined wines with elegance and slightly lower alcohol levels compared to other harvests.
The harvest dates were 6 – 12 February 2016.
In The Vineyard
Altitude: 100-150m above sea level and next to the Lourens River.
Age of vines: 9 years
Rootstock: 101-14 Mtg, Richter 110
Clones: CY76, PN52
Slopes: Situated on the valley floor
Soil type: Varying soil types including high potential soil of Sweetwater and TukuluAnalysis
Alcohol: 13 vol %
pH: 3.33
Total acid: 6.3 g/l
RS: 4.4 g/l
Closure: Aluminium screwcap with Saran/Tin linerWine Information
Cultivar: 56% Chardonnay, 44% Pinot noir
Wood: No wood treatmentMaturation Potential
This vintage can be enjoyed up to the end of 2018, but will reach its best drinking potential in 2017.
Food Pairing
It is a perfect wine for picnics and light lunches. The wine is easy-drinking and will pair well with slightly creamy food with a touch of saltiness added. It pairs well with a carbonara or mussel broth served with fondant potatoes and grilled line fish. The wine is best friends with a smoked trout pâté and likes to flirt with in-season strawberries. It will also pair well with lemon-thyme roast chicken or grilled trout or salmon. Or simple salads and summery meals or picnics.