Eikendal Chardonnay 2015

Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch

Cellarmaster: Nico Grobler

Background: The Swiss owned wine farm Eikendal can be found on the R44 between Somerset West and Stellenbosch and is well worth a visit even if it’s just for their wines! Since their first bottling in 1984 the farm has garnered an enviable reputation for their excellent range of wines. Besides having suitable soils for the vines and benefitting from the on shore breezes they have always had a formidable team making the wines. For the past ten years Nico Grobler has been at the helm of the wine making crew and his influence has kept Eikendal at the forefront of the Capes top producers.

Their Chardonnay falls into their premium Icon range and has been their flagship white for decades, however the 2015 is the first to be produced from four chardonnay clone specific vineyards planted approximately seven years ago. Nico explained the role each clone played to make up the final blend of the 2015 comparing them to the different physical make up’s of an sportsman (athletic, lean, muscular and powerful!).  Once the fruit was picked the four batches were whole bunch pressed and natural fermentation was started in stainless steel before being transferred to barrel. The Burgundian oak barrels used were custom made with input by Nico and the majority are untoasted to preserve freshness, length and tightness of the wine.  The wine prior to bottling was aged in barrel up to 14 months.

Result: The result is a wine with lovely aromas of persistent white pear, grapefruit and lime following through to a complex palate of classic biscuity flavours leading to a long creamy finish

When to drink: now till 2020

Drink with what: We enjoyed the wine with Poached marinated chicken with garlic and parsley as well as slow roast pork shoulder with sage and fennel. Both dishes served cold and delicious pairing.

Expect to pay: R156.00