Nine Yards Chardonnay Reserve

Please note: Award stickers are applied at the producer's discretion and may not be present on all bottles.

After de-stemming, the grapes are crushed and pressed immediately. The juice undergoes barrel fermentation in traditional 228-liter French oak barrels (77% new and 23% second-fill) from selected Burgundian cooperages, including Damy, Chassin, and Rousseau. A selection of French yeast is used for inoculation, with a percentage of the wine undergoing natural fermentation.

The grapes are sourced from east-facing vineyards situated 250 to 280 meters above sea level in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The vines, aged 32 years, are planted in decomposed granite soils (Hutton and Glenrosa soil forms), contributing to the wine's unique terroir expression.

The wine is matured "sur lie" for 9 months, with regular barrel-rolling to accentuate its rich, leesy character.