Tokara Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch WO Reserve Collection Chardonnay
On the nose, grilled lemons and (dare I say) Mountain Dew generosity checked by orange blossom and toasted almond delicacy. The palate is refined, you find ripe citrus and a hint of Werther’s but the freshness and salinity keep the wine from losing itself in decadence. The finish gives citrus oil, ginger, struck flint; an excellent Chardonnay. Only the best free run juice from the best parcels, showing off Simonsberg terroir beautifully, a full bodied (14%) barrel fermentation—28% new oak this vintage, the rest second and third fill, with about 80% of the barrels allowed to go through MLF—marrying power and elegance. Many years of cellaring potential herein, friends.
Region: Simonsberg-Stellenbosch, South Africa
Appellation: Stellenbosch WO
Varietal/Blend: 100% Chardonnay
ABV: 14.0%
Vineyard & Vine Age: Entirely from mid-slope estate vineyards on Simonsberg mountain. Soils are Oakleaf from granitic origin with varying levels of sandstone pebbles in the profile. It is a deep clay rich soil, with gravelly elements. The aspects of the parcels vary from South-Eastern to North-Western slopes at altitudes between 300-360m above sea level. Yield of 6-7 tons per hectare. The grapes were hand-picked between the 10th and 20th of February at optimal flavour ripeness with sugars
between 22 to 23.2 degrees brix and 6.5 to 8.1 g/l acid.
Cellar: Fruit is de-stemmed, crushed, and pressed to stainless steel tanks for settling overnight or whole bunch pressed after a night in the cold room with one night’s settling and subsequent racking. Only the free run juice from the best blocks is used for the Reserve Collection Chardonnay. The juice from the settled batches was then racked and run off to barrel for fermentation with selected yeast. After fermentation the wine was topped and left on the lees with regular stirring for 9 months. 80% of the barrels were allowed to complete malolactic fermentation. Tight-grain French oak Burgundy barrels in the 228 litre format, 28% new, with the rest being 2nd and 3rd fill barrels.
CSPC: 124084
Winemakers Note: This wine displays a light gold colour. Aromas of grilled lemon, lime skin, mandarin blossom and toasted almond emanate from the glass. The wine enters the palate with bold, ripe yellow citrus flavours leading to a creamy mid-palate and hint of caramelised sugar. There is a continuous saline focus and feeling of freshness throughout that suggests this wine will age beautifully for at least a decade.
What the Critics are saying: 2023 Vintage: "Intense tangerine and almond bouquet weave through biscuity apricot, fig and lime, before zippy acidity and flinty, wet-wool finish." 93, Decanter World Wine Awards
"Under screw cap, the Tokara 2023 Stellenbosch Reserve Collection Chardonnay reveals a pretty succession of honey, orchard fruit and citrus that eventually incorporate creamier elements of pastry and lemon preserve. This is a medium-rich interpretation that ages for nine months in French oak, with 28% new oak, and 80% malolactic fermentation is allowed. Production is 30,000 bottles." 90, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate ~ Monica Lerner
Region: Simonsberg-Stellenbosch, South Africa
Appellation: Stellenbosch WO
New Paragraph
TECHNICAL INFO
Varietal/Blend: 100% Chardonnay
ABV: 14.0%
Vineyard: Entirely from mid-slope estate vineyards on Simonsberg mountain. Soils are Oakleaf from granitic origin with varying levels of sandstone pebbles in the profile. It is a deep clay rich soil, with gravelly elements. The aspects of the parcels vary from South-Eastern to North-Western slopes at altitudes between 300-360m above sea level. Yield of 6-7 tons per hectare. The grapes were hand-picked between the 10th and 20th of February at optimal flavour ripeness with sugars
between 22 to 23.2 degrees brix and 6.5 to 8.1 g/l acid.
Cellar: Fruit is de-stemmed, crushed, and pressed to stainless steel tanks for settling overnight or whole bunch pressed after a night in the cold room with one night’s settling and subsequent racking. Only the free run juice from the best blocks is used for the Reserve Collection Chardonnay. The juice from the settled batches was then racked and run off to barrel for fermentation with selected yeast. After fermentation the wine was topped and left on the lees with regular stirring for 9 months. 80% of the barrels were allowed to complete malolactic fermentation. Tight-grain French oak Burgundy barrels in the 228 litre format, 28% new, with the rest being 2nd and 3rd fill barrels.
CSPC: 124084
Winemakers Note: This wine displays a light gold colour. Aromas of grilled lemon, lime skin, mandarin blossom and toasted almond emanate from the glass. The wine enters the palate with bold, ripe yellow citrus flavours leading to a creamy mid-palate and hint of caramelised sugar. There is a continuous saline focus and feeling of freshness throughout that suggests this wine will age beautifully for at least a decade.
What the Critics are saying: 2023 Vintage: "Intense tangerine and almond bouquet weave through biscuity apricot, fig and lime, before zippy acidity and flinty, wet-wool finish." 93, Decanter World Wine Awards
"Under screw cap, the Tokara 2023 Stellenbosch Reserve Collection Chardonnay reveals a pretty succession of honey, orchard fruit and citrus that eventually incorporate creamier elements of pastry and lemon preserve. This is a medium-rich interpretation that ages for nine months in French oak, with 28% new oak, and 80% malolactic fermentation is allowed. Production is 30,000 bottles." 90, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate ~ Monica Lerner
Giovanni Autuori
Calgary + Alberta South
T: 403-971-1898
E: giovanni@vinoalvino.ca
Joe Gurba
Edmonton + Alberta North
T: 780-203-5284
E: joeg@vinoalvino.ca