Vineyard Selection Chardonnay

Pork, Rich fish (salmon, tuna etc), Vegetarian, Poultry

What a vintage! The vintage was very early compared to 2019. Enough winter rain in 2019 and very cool growing conditions pathed the way for a super quality vintage in 2020. Yields in the vineyards was back to normal and balance was restored after 3 years of drought. The higher altitude Stellenbosch vineyards that face False Bay contributed texture and fruit, while the Robertson vineyards generally contributed more minerality owing to the limestone-based soils.

The wine spent a total of 8 months in barrel before blending and bottling. A combination of 60% new and the rest second and third fill 400l French oak barrels were used.

The grapes were harvested between 22 - 24°balling and after crushing the juice was given extended skin contact for at least 12 hours before it was pressed. Only the free run portion of the juice was used for this selection. After 1 day of settling the juice was racked to a fermentation vessel where we inoculate with a slow fermenting yeast strain. The juice was racked into barrel 1 day after inoculation and left to ferment at low temperature until dry.

Kleine Zalze wines are marked by a classical structure and complexity matched by a vibrant flavour intensity. Discernibly South African in style, they are refreshing, beautifully balanced and well-suited to food. Our wines are made according to traditional methods with minimal cellar intervention, but supported by modern equipment.