2022 Julien Schaal Evidence Chardonnay

The Julien Schaal Mountain Vineyards Chardonnay is also called the elegant 'French' star wine - it has now received many, without exception, favorable reviews and that is not without reason because few can compete with a wine of this quality at this price.

Julie Schaal's Evidence Chardonnay is a wine born from the passion for the Elgin region: with this cuvée they try to express what we admire most in Elgin Chardonnay. Here they allow the natural winemaking process and only very gentle oak aging to create a wine that is truly true to its terroir. The vines here are probably the oldest (hence Evidence) in the appellation and they produce fine, concentrated grapes. The Elgin, the Cape's 'coolest' climate, helps to maintain a fine natural acidity. The soil is a very stony red clay. The gentle, north-facing slope of the vineyard promotes the long and even ripening process. This region has a unique climate and topography, consisting of an elevated basin plateau surrounded on all sides by mountain ranges. The grapes are picked by hand at the coolest time of the day. After a gentle pressing and setting of the juice, the juice goes to 300 liter barrels. The long fermentation allows the wine to show all its potential. The wine then matures in wood for at least 12 months.

The Evidence Chardonnay is a full, Burgundian 'French' top wine from Elgin. In the glass it has a pale lemon color with copper tinges. In the nose aromas of citrus, green and yellow apple, hints of white herbs, citrus blossom and roasted almonds. Medium-bodied and very elegant with an energetic acidity with aromas of fresh lemon oil and lime zest, ending with a long, acid-driven and mineral finish. Only 3,500 bottles will be filled after spending 12 months in a third of new French oak.