Beeslaar Chardonnay
What is Chardonnay?
Chardonnay is one of the world’s most popular and versatile white wine grape varieties, and arguably the most famous of them all. It is known for its ability to adapt to a wide range of climates and winemaking styles. Originating from Burgundy, France, Chardonnay is celebrated for its diverse flavour profile.
Warm-climate wines will reflect more tropical flavours, from pineapple to mango, while cool-climate Chardonnays tend to show more citrus flavours and a mineral character.
The Chardonnay grape itself is neutral, with many of the flavours commonly associated with the wine being derived from such influences as terroir and oak. This gives winemakers the chance to leave their own signature on the wine, including through barrel fermentation and malolactic fermentation.
Whether enjoyed as a fresh, unoaked wine or a complex, oaked version, Chardonnay offers something for every palate and is great to pair with a variety of recipes, making it a timeless choice for wine lovers.
The Winemaking Process
The grapes are sourced from vineyards spanning four different regions – Stellenbosch, Robertson, Barrydale and Kaaimansgat (Villiersdorp). They all are nestled in a mixture of shale and high-altitude granitic soils.
The wine is imbued with opulence and richness as a result of the shale soils, while the granitic soils contribute elegance and refinement.
Following a 48-hour settling period, the juice is transferred to a combination of oak barrels and ceramic pots, where it is inoculated with a carefully selected yeast strain for the fermentation process.
After fermentation, the wine is racked off the gross lees. For added complexity, the wine is then returned to French oak barrels, where it matures on the fine lees for 12 months.
To mitigate the impact of excessive new oak flavours and aromas, only 20% of these barrels are first fill (used for the first time), while the remaining 80% are composed of barrels with an age ranging from 2 to 5 years. In order to preserve the freshness of the wine and achieve a rounded mouthfeel, malolactic fermentation is permitted in only a portion of the barrels during the maturation period.
The Beeslaar Chardonnay unfolds with scented aromas of green apple and invigorating citrus fruits. Ripe pineapple flavours on the palate are delicately juxtaposed against the wine’s mineral nucleus. The moderate alcohol, along with a gentle thread of acidity that weaves through the impeccably balanced core, result in a palate-pleasing and refreshing conclusion.
Beeslaar Chardonnay Fact Sheets & High Resolution Pack Shots
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Fact Sheets
Pack Shots
Awards & Ratings
Beeslaar Chardonnay:
- Tim Atkin MW S.A. Report 2024 – 94 points