Wine Composition
100% Chardonnay
Winemakers Comments
The Kaaimansgat or Crocodile’s Lair vineyard is hidden away in the Elandskloof Valley behind the village of Villiersdorp, just 80km from Hermanus. A beautiful spot inside a blind valley nestled amongst majestic mountains. Bouchard Finlayson has been linked directly to this vineyard for close to twenty six years. It is located 700m above sea level, ripens a month later than other Cape Chardonnays and benefits enormously from cool autumn temperatures. The vines are not irrigated and they produce small berries of high skin to juice ratio, which adds an extra flavour component to this superior wine.
Awards
Tim Atkin | 93 points
Technical Analysis
Alcohol Percentage
13.48%
pH
3.27
RS
2.1 g/l
TA
6.3 g/l
Vinification
The elevation at which these vineyards grow, play a significant role in the resulting wine. At 800m above sea level, berries tend to be smaller and skins thicker. Lower juice recoveries can be expected, however, fruit flavours are abundant and the vintage consistency remarkable. Fermentation occur in barrel and initiate spontaneously by indigenous yeast populations. Maintaining temperatures below 25 degrees Celsius is key in the preservation of fruit freshness. Bottling in January 2022 follows a 2 month resting period in tank.
Winemaker
Name - Chris Albrecht
Winery
Established in 1989, Bouchard Finlayson is a boutique winery dedicated to the making of Pinot noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc wines of outstanding quality.
Located in the wine ward of Walker Bay, an hour and a half from Cape Town, the 125-hectare property currently has 22 hectares under vines, the rest is mountain land, covered by the spectacular indigenous 'fynbos' flora of the Western Cape.
Bouchard Finlayson's flagship wine is the Galpin Peak Pinot Noir, which has won many an award and accolade. Growing on the slopes of Galpin Peak, repeated vintages of this path-blazing wine continue to reflect a true celebration of Pinot-crafting, consistently endorsing the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley as a jewel in the hunt for this elusive grape.
Bouchard Finlayson is renowned as one of South Africa's top wineries and this can be attributed to their philosophy and focus to produce wines of the finest quality.
+1 888 812 2543