Aaldering Chardonnay

A very small yield for this Chardonnay, as the vineyard is only three hectares in size. However, it does speak of an excellent and truly unique harvest, despite the vineyard being only about twelve years old. Fons Aaldering chose a small vineyard at an altitude of 160 meters above sea level in the Devon Valley in Stellenbosch. Here, a small plot of land was suitable for viticulture, and the soil proved to be unique, with a high proportion of granite. This is something the Chardonnay grape loves, and therefore the vineyard was planted facing southwest to provide the vines with the right amount of sunshine. All this contributes to a Chardonnay wine you will never forget.

Completely hand-harvested for this Aaldering Chardonnay

At their ideal ripeness, the Chardonnay grapes are harvested entirely by hand. During the harvest, a strict selection process takes place to select only the finest bunches. Fons Aaldering wants only the finest juice, and this wine was designed to rival a full-bodied Burgundy. Well, it certainly is: a wine with enormous length and structure. This is partly due to the gentle pressing and subsequent aging in oak barrels for several months. It is also aged on the lees, which gives it even more body and structure, which we can certainly taste. Aaldering uses 300-liter barrels, allowing the aromas and flavors of the oak to penetrate the wine easily.

The aroma and taste of the Aaldering Chardonnay

This Chardonnay from Aaldering is a wine with rich terroir and power. Its oak aging makes it a unique wine, giving it fullness and complexity. A truly top-notch wine from South Africa, it boasts aromas of crisp citrus fruit and ripe peach, along with hints of vanilla and oak. The palate is truly unique, wonderfully creamy and complex, with a rich, rich flavor. It's no wonder this Aaldering Chardonnay is such a full-bodied wine! Hints of cream, peaches, apricots, and oak complete the flavor.