Chardonnay Nine Yards 2023

Located in the heart of the Stellenbosch region, the Jordan Estate vineyard benefits from a mosaic of ancient soils and slopes exposed to the refreshing influence of ocean breezes. The parcels dedicated to the Nine Yards Chardonnay cuvée are planted on hillsides facing primarily south and east, promoting slow and even ripening of the grapes. The moderate altitude and geological diversity contribute depth and complexity, while the temperate Mediterranean climate allows for a beautiful balance between concentration and freshness.

The grapes for Nine Yards Chardonnay are hand-harvested early in the morning and then pressed as whole bunches before light settling. The must is transferred directly into French oak barrels where alcoholic fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts, followed by partial malolactic fermentation. The wine is then aged on its fine lees with regular stirring in French oak barrels, a significant proportion of which are new, for approximately 9 to 12 months before final blending and bottling at the estate.

This wine reveals notes of ripe apple , juicy pear , and citrus, enhanced by delicate floral touches of honeysuckle. Spicy nuances of vanilla and sweet ginger are also present, along with a mellow oak character reminiscent of toasted brioche and hazelnut. The palate offers a full and creamy texture, supported by a crisp acidity that extends the finish, with a lovely saline length and perfectly integrated oak.

The first grape vines were planted in South Africa by Dutch settlers in the 1650s, although wine production did not really take off until the arrival of French Protestants in the 1680s with their skills and knowledge of viticulture. Stellenbosch is also a historic wine region, with the first vineyards being planted there in the 1690s. Today, South Africa is one of the most important wine producing countries in the Southern Hemisphere. With over 300 years of winemaking history, it is often described as a bridge between the Old and New Worlds. The majority of wines are produced using New World winemaking techniques, but they often share more in common stylistically with their Old World counterparts. Since the end of apartheid, South African wine has received international attention and acclaim for its wide variety of styles. South Africa's wine industry is spread across the lush and rugged landscape of the Western Cape. Here, the abundance of mountains, valleys and plateaus allows winemakers to produce a wide variety of styles. Vineyards are also found in the Orange River region of the Northern Cape, where the flat, arid landscape is dominated by the Kalahari Desert. Most of South Africa's wine regions have a Mediterranean climate, heavily influenced by the meeting of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The country's signature grape variety is Pinotage, an indigenous cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsault that is rarely found in quantity in other wine-producing countries. Shiraz (Syrah) is also widely planted, as are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (often combined in a Bordeaux blend). South African Chardonnay, Chenin and Sauvignon Blanc have become popular internationally in recent years.