Among the Eikendal Chardonnay’s most recent achievements was its 2014 vintage rated overall champion in the esteemed 2015 Prescient Chardonnay Report for scoring the highest points. The annual assessment by highly regarded wine authorities involves a blind tasting of 60 of South Africa’s most high-profile wines in the category.
This is the best I’ve made.
It is always amazing to see how in the most challenging vintages the greatest wines emerge. The harvest in 2015 was at that stage the earliest recorded vintage on the renowned property between Somerset West and Stellenbosch. – cellarmaster Nico Grobler of the Eikendal Chardonnay 2015 just released by the Stellenbosch wine estate.
Harvesting for Chardonnay began on January 8, more than a week before the usual period around January 20. “I had to make a few gutsy decisions,” Grobler recalls. “Among them was whether to play it safe and allow the fruit to stay on the vine for longer or to pick early to retain freshness and purity. The Burgundians taught me however that in times of uncertainty, it’s always best to focus on the latter.
The vines that produced the Eikendal Chardonnay 2015 comprise four different clones, each grown in the specific way suited to reveal its best in the fruit. The vineyards were planted at different densities per hectare. They were also cultivated differently, including a combination of bush vine; bush vine-and-post; Vertical Shoot Positioning (VSP) trellises; and, a technique called Guyot-pruning.
During harvest, each block of Chardonnay was picked and vinified on its own. The bunches of grapes were pressed whole and all the fermentations started in tank before the juice was moved to barrel. All the batches underwent wild fermentations, an approach that elevated the terroir character of the wine.
This wine is as clean and pure as you will find. It is supported by great minerality, beautiful length and tightness. There’s a hint of richness on the palate.
It is like fresh mountain water, which is why I like to say great Chardonnay will always make you thirsty, 2015 is one of those vintages where the wine is built on all the small complexities inherent in Chardonnay; all those little things you can’t touch, but only dream off. Now, give it 10 to 15 years and richness will develop in the bottle to add even more complexity. – says Grobler.
Eikendal is known for its focused and structured wine pedigree that showcases the best in varietal recognition. It enjoys a very favourable climate with excellent light and a near-perfect blend of warmth and coolness thanks to its proximity to False Bay and surrounding mountains that is ideal for optimal berry, colour and structure development.
Its latest arrival – the Chardonnay 2015 – retails for only R155 per bottle at the cellar door. It can also be found at selected fine wine outlets and restaurants countrywide.
Directions to Eikendal Wine Estate
R44
Stellenbosch
7130
021 855 1422
