Jordan Nine Yards Chardonnay, Stellenbosch

Description

Jordan Nine Yards Chardonnay is the top white wine from Jordan Wines, Stellenbosch (and one of the best Chardonnays from South Africa, in my humble opinion).

Gary and Kathy Jordan have been making world-class wines since 1993 on a farm with a history going back over 300 years. He’s a geologist, she’s an economist – together this husband and wife team is a phenomenon. Gary’s parents, Ted and Sheelagh, bought the 146 hectare Stellenbosch property in 1982, and embarked on an extensive replanting programme, specializing in classic varieties suited to the different soils and slopes.

Jordan Nine Yards Chardonnay is made in a Reserve Style, from a barrel selection of wines produced from Jordan’s best vineyard site. The Nine Yards vineyard is situated between 250 and 280m above sea level. This 19 year old vineyard is planted with both Burgundian and Davis clone Chardonnay. The East-facing Hutton and Glenrosa soils, innovative canopy management and low crop levels ensure that the vineyard produces smaller berries with concentrated citrus flavours.

The grapes are harvested, then crushed and pressed immediately after de-stemming, the juice was barrel-fermented in traditional 228-litre French oak barrels (70% new and 30% second fill) from selected Burgundian cooperages (Damy, Chassin and Rousseau). The barrels were inoculated with a selection of French yeast. A percentage of the wine went through natural fermentation. Jordan Wines Nine Yards Chardonnay was matured “sur lie” for 10 months, with regular barrel-rolling to accentuate the rich, leesy character.

As The Jordan’s say, “Stylistically different to our Jordan Chardonnay, with this wine we went “The whole nine yards”!