The FMC....

An "Earthly Chardonnay" ....

 An interesting feed form Anthony Hammilton Russel...

We have finally received our next 9 small 160 liter stoneware amphorae for the 2012 Chardonnay harvest.  This follows research we initiated in 2005 into the benefits of fermenting and ageing a portion of our Chardonnay in clay vessels instead of oak. It took us some time to find a South African potter able to produce these for us. An additional 9 amphorae have been commissioned for the 2013 harvest.

These small stoneware amphorae have been designed to deliver the same amount of “air-exchange” as a barrel but without (clearly) imparting wood tannin, oak flavour or flavours from the toasting. They are each lined with clay from our property before firing.

These amphorae are perfect for our oldest Chardonnay vineyards, where even at extremely low yields, the grapes ripen at much lower alcohols – 12% and even below. These vineyards produce wines that are all too easily overwhelmed by newer wood, or lack vibrant freshness in older wood. The lower alcohol wines from the amphorae are wines of great beauty, finesse and freshness, with remarkable density given the alcohol levels.

It is our intention that the amphorae fermented and aged Chardonnay component eventually makes up around 10% of Hamilton Russell vineyards Chardonnay. Our Chardonnay has been doing extremely well locally and internationally, but we are always looking for new ways to refine and “improve” our wines further. It is wonderful to see this long-standing initiative finally producing quality results.

We were really pleased when a recent (Feb 1^st, 2012) Wine Spectator Insider, reviewing a number of South African white wines, gave our 2010 Chardonnay the highest score – a 93 – and included it in their list of Hot Wines. These are the most exciting discoveries from their editors’ most recent tastings. This makes our 9^th consecutive Chardonnay score over ninety – or Outstanding.

This is how Senior editor at the Wine Spectator, James Molesworth, describes our 2010 Chardonnay -  “Lush and inviting, with layers of fig, persimmon, mango and creamed Jonagold apple fruit, all supported by finely beaded acidity that lends definition and length to the finish. More cut and length than just weight in the end.”

Well known South African sommelier, Miguel Chan, also liked our 2010 Chardonnay and scored it 94+ saying that it was “without a doubt one of the world’s top 25 Chardonnays, including top Burgundies.”  The panel of French judges at the 14^th Classic Trophy Awards rated our 2010 highly as well, giving it the trophy for best white wine.

We hope you are enjoying our beautiful Chardonnay 2011 (our 30^th vintage) which was released in December last year.

Up coming pop up wine tasting....

The end of March will see us host the first in a series of  "different" wine tastings on the KZN South Coast.

The Glass Collection....Glenelly

" The Glass Collection", not only an inspiration of some select wines from "Glenelly Estate", but true works of art held by, May de Lencquesaing.

Who? Where? What? I believe you may now be asking. Well read the following write up by Michael Fridjhon for Business Day and Financial Mail .....

It is too soon to say whether May de Lencquesaing's Glenelly estate in Stellenbosch is destined to join SA 's recognised pantheon of great wine properties. Certainly, the portents are all there. There are two very fine Chardonnays: the unwooded one is infinitely more interesting than most Sauvignon Blancs; and a wooded version, in which the creaminess of the mouth feel is more important than the fingerprint of the oak.

The two reds - a Bordeaux-type blend called Lady May and a Cabernet-Shiraz sold as "Grand Vin" - are both still in their infancy. However, everything about them suggests they will live up to the promise already evident in the whites.

The Grande Dame of Bordeaux (Madame de Lencquesaing is a former Grand Chancelier of the Académie du Vin de Bordeaux) began researching a vineyard acquisition in SA in the late 1990s. Unlike many newcomers, she had the history and the experience to traverse the learning curve by the shortest route. Her father's family were landowners in Bordeaux in the first half of the 20th century - not exactly the halcyon days of the Bordeaux trade. The Miailhes owned (or co-owned and managed) Chateaux Palmer, Pichon Lalande, Siran, Coufran, Avensan and Ducru Beaucaillou.

When she came into her inheritance in 1978, Chateau Pichon Lalande was technically insolvent. In little more than a decade, she transformed it into one of a handful of "Superseconds" in the Medoc. In 2006, she sold it to Champagne Louis Roederer, whose properties in the Medoc included Chateau de Pez. Now with the time to invest in her South African estate, she has done everything prudently possible to fast- track its establishment. Starting with the acquisition of a property bordering Rustenberg in historic Ida s Valley in Stellenbosch, to a complete replanting with properly sourced vineyard material, through to the construction of a functional cellar, it's all been very well done.

The employment of wine maker Luke O'Cuinneagain (who years before had worked at Rustenberg) seems particularly inspired. His unshowy but carefully crafted wines marry her French aesthetic with the reality of Stellenbosch fruit.

The only question that I believe now remains. Are you keen to try some?