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Tokara Reserve Stellenbosch Chardonnay
This Chardonnay from Tokara is from their superior Reserve range, 2014 vintage.
93 Points Tim Atkin
91 Points Stephen Tanzer
Tokara is a large high profile winery on the Helshoogte Pass between Stellenbosch and Franschoek, an ideal site for quality Chardonnay. Miles Mossop is their winemaker, and very talented and well respected he is too. Although Karl Lambour formerly of Grande Provence has recently moved there in a managerial role. No doubt he will have some influence in their future winemaking, particularly for their Chardonnays.
Tokara make some larger volume wines by our standards but I was impressed by their Reserve range so we have chosen to list some.
This Chardonnay impressed me. I found it hugely round with some citrus and pineapple flavours, and some almond on the finish.
Out of stock
SKU
1600
£17.99
Tokara Reserve Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2014
ORIGIN 100% Chardonnay.
The grapes originated from TOKARA's premium vineyards on the slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain.
CROPPING AND HARVEST The vines cropped at 7 tons per hectare. The grapes were handpicked at optimal flavour ripeness at sugars at around 22.5 to 24.0 degrees brix and 6.0 to 7.5 g/l acid.
WINEMAKING The grapes for this wine were treated in two ways. They were de-stemmed, crushed and pressed directly to stainless steel tanks for settling overnight or whole-bunch pressed. Only the free run juice from the best blocks is used for the Reserve Collection Chardonnay. The juice from the de-stemmed 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 lees stirring for 11 months. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation. The barrels were all tight grain French oak barrels of which 31% were new the rest were older barrels.
WINEMAKER'S TASTING NOTE The wine has a vibrant golden straw colour. The nose has intense aromas of lemon blossom, citrus preserve and ripe yellow fruits. Subtle oak is evident by hints of roasted almonds and fresh toast which underpin the vibrant fruit aromas. The palate is rich and full yet amazingly fresh. The flavours of ripe papaya and pineapple fill the mouth while a vibrant mid-palate of lemon zest and marmalade leads to a fresh crisp finish.
| Location | Stellenbosch, South Africa |
|---|---|
| Winery | Tokara |
| Winery status | Large privately owned winery |
| Winemaker | Miles Mossop |
| Annual production | Low |
| Grapes | Chardonnay |
| Product awards | 93 Points Tim Atkin, 91 Points Stephen Tanzer |
| Gold Medals |  |
| Style | Full and round |
| ABV | 14 |
| Bottle Size | 75cl |
| Vintage | 2015 |
| Percentage score | 90 |
| Sulphite level | Medium Low |
| John's Rating |  |
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