Waterkloof Peacock Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2016 (6/case) (R89/BOTTLE)

It’s Really All about the Vineyards

 

Chardonnay…the most famous white wine grape of them all. There are numerous different winemaking techniques to which this varietal submits, ranging from dry whites to delicate sparkling wines and even a noble late harvest.
The grapes for the Peacock Wild Ferment Chardonnay are sourced from the foot of the Schapenberg slopes, as well as the coastal outskirts of Stellenbosch. The Schapenberg component gives a great fresh acidity to wine as the vineyards are nestled a mere five kilometres from the ocean. The Stellenbosch component, which derives from a higher, cool south-facing slope, lends richness to the wine.

 

A Gentle Hand

 

We follow a ‘less is more’, minimal intervention winemaking philosophy for all our wines. The grapes are tasted at regular intervals to determine the optimal ripeness level. Harvesting takes place by hand, after which the grapes are whole bunch pressed. Clarification happens naturally over a 24 hour period without the addition of any enzymes. The juice is then fermented naturally with ‘wild yeasts’ – in tanks and our concrete eggs – with the natural yeasts from the grapes allowing for the flavours in the vineyard to be expressed in the bottle. No additions of tartaric acid are necessary, due to the natural balance found in the grapes. Fermentation took one month to complete and the wine was then left on the primary lees for a further three months before bottling.

 

And A Few Prayers To Mother Nature- 2015/16 Growing Season

 

The Cape did not experience a very cold winter in 2015, with near perfect days lingering at 20 degrees Celsius. The evenings were cold but not excessively so. We also experienced the driest winter to date with half the normal rainfall.
We saw budburst occurring at the beginning of September, which was definitely a bit earlier than usual. It was a proper spring with lots of sunshine and warm temperatures.

The ripening season showed moderate to warm temperatures. Our first grapes were picked a week earlier than last year (which was already early). A lot of the Stellenbosch/Helderberg producers were significantly down on yield. With the berries being remarkably small this year the flavours were fantastic.

 

Tasting Notes from the glass of Winemaker Nadia Barnard

 

A bouquet marked by great freshness. Green apple, stone fruit and honey notes dominate the nose of this light and lively wine. It is the perfect accompaniment for a nice cheese platter with fruits and nuts.

 

The Numbers

 

Alc: 12.5%
RS: 1.4
TA: 4.6
VA: 0.4
pH 3.69