Winter of 2015 started fairly dry, with plenty of frosty mornings, allowing for proper vine dormancy. By October, the effects of El Niño had started to take effect with unusually warm weather accelerating bud break and flowering. Fluctuating warm and cool days meant smaller bunch sizes.
December going into January 2016 saw hot, dry weather challenging acidity retention by the vine. February finally saw temperatures become cooler enabling us to harvest the Chardonnay from 8th February to 2nd March 2016.
Fruit concentration was high and the wines have a very good flavour profile. Thicker skins than usual meant whole bunch pressing far more lightly than in previous years.
I chose French oak barrels, all from Burgundy for 38% of the Chardonnay, the rest going into 2nd and 3rd fill, but with 10% left to ferment and mature in breathable eggs.
It's been a few months since I have had any Kershaw Chardonnay available for sale as this last year has seen a huge increase in global sales and demand for my wines, so I urge you to order quickly and pop these 2016 beauties into your wine fridge or cellar. Available direct for R3120 for a 6 bottle case including delivery within South Africa, around a third of my 2016 Kershaw Elgin Chardonnay has already been reserved by overseas distributors!