La Brune Chardonnay 2024

Nico Groblier of La Brune is known for making world class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Elgin Valley in the Cape South Coast of South Africa. Elgin is located 40 miles southeast of Cape Town and just 8 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, helping to bring cooling winds and early-morning mists. Primarily known for growing apples, Elgin has a cooler climate and produces some of the country’s best Burgundian-style wines. This Chardonnay comes from La Brune’s high density estate vineyard planted on Table Mountain sandstone soils. The 2024 vintage was one where power met elegance. There was high sunlight intensity in January with three heatwaves which increased power, richness, and texture in the grapes. Still, this wine speaks of its cool climate origins with high acidity, tightness, and length at its mineral core.

Produced from a single vineyard, single clone planted in sandstone. Sandstone with the Elgin cool climate is the perfect blend for a tight, linear, mineral and perfumed Chardonnay. 50% wholebunch pressed and 50% destemmed. Settling of only 4 hours with no sulphur or additives. Spontaneous fermentation is allowed to start and 30% of the fermentation time is in stainless steel tanks before the wine is moved to barrel. The rest of the spontaneous fermentation will finish in barrel. 10% malolactic fermentation is allowed.

Maturation is for 12 months in 228L ‘untoasted’ Burgundian barrels with 30% new barrels used. The barrels are specifically made for La Brune Chardonnay, and are created to respect the freshness and purity of the wine to help add complexity.