Lelie Van Saron
Chardonnay 2021
Upper Hemel-En-Aarde
The Debos Vineyard is just on the north side of the dam for which it is named at the base of the Babylonstoren Mountains. The small block that makes this wine is a south/southwest facing slope at roughly 550-650 feet in elevation with the vines planted between fields of fynbos and in very close proximity to the sea. Known for its granite soils, the one-hectare Debos Vineyard yields about 5.5 tons/hectare. The resulting wines are aromatic and elegant, with pure fruit expression. The wine whole bunch pressed and aged between concrete and neutral barriques.
Vineyard
DeBos Vineyard, Cartref: a mixture of granite, sandstone and quartz. Sustainably dry farmed wihtout herbicides or pesticides.
Winemaking
The grapes were handpicked and then hand sorted at the winery prior to being whole-bunch pressed with an overnight settling. Primary fermentation took one month to complete with zero additions, and malolactic fermentation was completed during this time as well. The wine sat on lees with no battonage for an additional 12 months prior to being racked and blended to tank. It was then bottled with a coarse sheet filtration.
Vintage
The harvest kicked off around two weeks later than normal due to unusually cool weather conditions throughout the season, which persisted throughout harvest.
Tasting Note
The nose shows pithy lemon and lime peel, with limestone minerality and subtle hints of oak. The palate displays excellent varietal purity with a linear structure balanced by ripe lemon, melon and stone fruit.
UPC
600982003045
Color
White
Appellation
Upper Hemel-En-Aarde
Certifications
SUSTAINABLE
Farming
Sustainable - Dry Farmed
Trade Materials
Other Wines by this Producer
Syrah
The Syrah block of the DeBos Vineyard sits just below the Chardonnay block and has more of a Sandy soil, granitic soil with rocky outcrops of pure granite. The wine is spontaneously fermented in stainless steel and aged in large format neutral oak.
Jade Red Blend
This Syrah-based blend comes from vines planted between fields of indigenous fynbos in close proximity to the ocean (about 4-8 km as the crow flies). With the influence from the cool Atlantic Ocean, the valley is considered to be an exceptional cool-climate winegrowing region
Jade Méthode Ancestrale
This methode ancestral wine remains quite clean and technical; the lack of cloudiness is a nod to Natasha's scientific leaning and her own personal preference.
