Elements Bright 2021

ART OF MAKING

How the wine is made

Bright is made by fermenting all the Chardonnay components separately. The grapes were pressed and then transferred to oak barrels where fermentation occurred naturally.

At our winery, we do not use generic barrels because we want to produce extraordinary results. Our new barrels are seasoned, dry, and are without toasting for up to five years, before being steamed. They are then used for 16 months to make the wine. There is an inherent patience in the making of our wine.

Martin is a precision winemaker, rarely adding anything to his wines, and he chooses not to filter them. He prides himself on spending the time and effort on exactly what goes into the bottle, to ensure that what comes out is as authentic as possible. When you drink our hand-crafted wine, you are creating a moment in time that will never be forgotten.

CULTIVAR

Where the grapes are from

The grapes are sourced from three different vineyards, all of which have different soils and climates. The Bright is mostly from our Franschhoek vineyard but also has grapes from Tulbagh and Elgin.

Soils and climates

Elgin is the coolest area with bokkeveld shale. It has a cooler climate which is best for Chardonnay grapes, allowing their flavour to become more expressive and rich.

Franschhoek is more moderate in climate and has sandy soil. It is ideal for rich, fruit-driven white wines and the shadows of the mountains help to moderate the climate for more complex aromas in the wine.

Tulbagh in the Breede River Valley has a hot climate that has cool evenings, with decomposed shale soil. The climate leads to grapes that have developed rich flavour over time and that have retained their acidity.

ANALYSIS

pH
3.42

Residual Sugar
2.6 g/l

Alcohol Vol.
13.04%

Total Acid
6.1 g/l

TASTING NOTES

What you can expect when tasting

The Chardonnay shows a bright green/gold colour with a bright core, with primary nose aromas of citrus blossom, neroli and yellow peaches.

Secondary to that is a savoury sea-spray, almost chalklike, aroma harnessed with a gentle oak inclusion.

On the palate the wine is well balanced with a soft mouthfeel and a crisp
acidity that give the wine great length.

Drink now or within 5 years.

Butter, Vanilla, Oak
18 MENTIONS OF OAKY NOTES

Citrus, Lemon
5 MENTIONS OF CITRUS NOTES

Honey
3 MENTIONS OF EARTHY NOTES

LABEL ART

The art on the label

For our Elements range, we wanted to highlight the playfulness of the wines and of our winery, and appeal to an audience who doesn’t take themselves too seriously.

The swings represent our more fun-loving side, and the swallow (included in almost every label) represents our winemaker, Martin Smith. The elegant background colours highlight the wine inside the bottle and the grapes used in its production.

For the Bright, the warm notes of the Chardonnay are highlighted in the background, showcasing the rich character of this vintage.

The stunning artwork is by Lorraine Loots and Carmen Ziervogel.

FOOD PAIRINGS

Food and wine combinations

Our Bright Chardonnay is perfectly paired with a light summer salad, any type of poultry, and is delicious with fatty tuna or salmon.

You could try it with a pork dish, like pork chops fried in butter or you could treat yourself to an indulgent meal of lobster or shrimp slathered in a creamy sauce. Toasted flavours, like salty roasted nuts, pair well for a snack, and it is divine with any cream-based pasta dish.