Alvi’s Drift Reserve Chardonnay 2022 is a full-bodied, oak-aged Chardonnay from Worcester, in the Breede River Valley. The wine is crafted in a Burgundian-inspired style: whole bunches are pressed, the juice is fermented in wooden barrels, and the wine is then aged for 11 months on the fine lees in French oak. This results in a mouth-filling Chardonnay with notes of peach, citrus, white chocolate, vanilla, and a long, creamy finish.
This Chardonnay comes from Worcester, in the Breede River Valley.
Location / Origin: Alvi’s Drift is located in Worcester, in the Breede River Valley in South Africa. The estate is situated on both sides of the Breede River.
Appellation: The wine originates from Worcester, an area where Alvi’s Drift works with a large number of grape varieties.
Climate & Influences: The Breede River Valley provides the grapes with significant ripening potential. Its location around the river and the local microclimate help to combine ripe fruit with freshness.
Vineyard: Alvi’s Drift works with its own vineyards and cultivates 19 grape varieties. Chardonnay is one of the key white varieties within the range.
The vinification is focused on complexity, creaminess, and aging potential.
Pressing: The bunches are pressed whole. This gentle approach helps to keep the juice pure and provides a refined base for the barrel fermentation.
Fermentation: The juice is fermented in wooden barrels. As a result, the wine gains more texture, depth, and a subtle oak influence from the start.
Aging / Oak maturation: The wine ages for 11 months on the fine lees in French oak barrels. Regular bâtonnage provides extra creaminess, volume, and complexity.
Aging potential: This Reserve Chardonnay can be aged for 2–5 years. Alvi’s Drift’s official current product information even mentions development of up to 8 years, depending on the vintage and storage conditions.
Alcohol percentage: With 13.5% alcohol, this Chardonnay has enough body for a full-bodied, gastronomic style.
This wine is made from Chardonnay.
Chardonnay – Worcester: Chardonnay gives this wine its peach, citrus, creamy structure, and long finish. Through fermentation and aging in French oak, the wine gains additional notes of vanilla, white chocolate, and soft toast.
