Indaba Chardonnay

Indaba Chardonnay has bright, tropical fruit aromas leading to a crisp, fresh palate with mouth-filling flavours of apple, pear, honey, and pineapple. A whisper of oak adds a creamy butterscotch nuance and wonderful depth. Superb value, this versatile white is a seamless pairing for an array of cuisines.

Country: South Africa
Region: Coastal Region & Breede River Valley
Subregion: Robertson, Stellenbosch, Paarl & Swartland
Vintage: 2017
Colour: White
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
ABV: 13.5%
Bottle Size: 75cl
Closure: Screwcap
Style: Creamy but fresh
Drink With: Macaroni cheese

Indaba Chardonnay grapes were sourced from select vineyard sites in Robertson, Paarl, Stellenbosch and Swartland, with vines ranging from 8-28 years old. The limestone and decomposed shale soils of Robertson yield wines of great acidity which combine zesty citrus and yellow fruit flavours with a flinty, minerally character. The Paarl and Stellenbosch components – from soils of weathered granite and decomposed sandstone – bring a lusher profile with tropical fruit flavours. The Swartland portion – from soils with a sandy top layer over loamy sub-layers – lends citrus hints and a distinct minerality.

The grapes were picked in the cool early morning hours to maintain the freshness of the fruit. They were de-stemmed, left in cold skin contact for four hours, and then gently pressed. The juice was settled overnight before fermentation, which occurred in a combination of stainless steel tanks and French oak barrels. The Indaba Chardonnay was left on its lees for several months to develop further complexity.

From Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar:
(Made in stainless steel and a bit of used French oak) Medium yellow. Fruit driven aromas of peach, pineapple and honey. Supple, broad, dry and easygoing; very ripe and creamy but not a butterbomb. 87 Points