2020 De Wetshof Chardonnay Lesca Danie de Wet

Bright straw yellow in colour, with a powerful scent, butter, banana, richness, breadth, beautiful wood, a pleasant fresh citrus note, smoky and complex and delicious white fruit. A powerful taste, broad, lots of depth and intensity, juicy and fresh, beautiful citrus fruit, the wood is only present in the background.

The Lesca has always been one of Danie de Wet's favorite wines. He named him after his wife, whom he married in 1975, when he was 26. Early on, De Wet understood the importance of using specific clones in order to get a certain taste of his wines. Clones are used for Lesca, which give the wine a distinct citrus-like character. These were planted in the late eighties, early nineties, so that they are now mature enough to yield wines with the necessary depth and concentration. The citrusy character of the wine is accentuated by a substrate of gravel and lime, as we also find in France. Ideal for nice Chardonnay. Yields are limited, not exceeding sixty hectoliters per hectare. The wine is fermented in French oak barrels, which have been selected for their subtle character, so that they emphasize the fruit in the wine. It only lasts three months or barrel, giving birth to a wine that excels in finesse and subtlety. Chardonnay at its finest.

The Wetshof Estate is located in the Robertson wine region, approximately 160 kilometers from Cape Town. Johann de Wet, the father of the current owner of De Wethof Estate, Danie, laid the foundation for the domain as it is today in 1952. For son Danie, it was not obvious at first to become a winemaker. In his heart, he actually wanted to be a veterinarian. His father persuaded him to go into wine, because he saw the future of the farm in it. He convinced his son by promising him that he could study in Geisenheim, Germany, in order to broaden his horizons in Europe. In 1972, upon his return, De Wetshof became the first private cellar in Robertson, separate from the local cooperative. Danie saw plenty of opportunities and planted noble varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Chardonnay. Over the years, De Wetshof has become the most famous producer of Chardonnay in South Africa. Under the leadership of Danie de Wet, De Wetshof has grown into one of the leading wine companies in South Africa. It measures no less than 200 hectares, planted with Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir.