Kershaw Clonal Selection Elgin Chardonnay Magnum 2017

The grapes for this premium Chardonnay were harvested by hand on an early autumn morning and transported in 10kg crates, which on arrival at the winery were immediately emptied into the press where they were pressed whole bunch. The yield from pressing was kept low at 590 litres per tonne of grapes. The juice flowed directly into the barrel with the aid of gravity alone (without any use of pumps), without separating the juice from possible sediment by resting. No enzymes, yeast cultures or acid were added to the unclarified juice, which was then subjected to spontaneous fermentation. The wine rested in French oak barrels for 4 months before being sulphured with great care and aged in barrel for a further 7 months. 38% of the barrels used here were new wood, with the remainder being second and third growth. Each bottle was given its own unique identification number.