The 2019 Paserene Chardonnay shows great promise. Green to gold in colour with a vibrantly clear tint. On the nose the wine shows bright citrus with whiffs of lemon sponge, honeysuckle and oatmeal, followed by chalk and a saline ocean spray. This vintage is yet again endowed by exuberant acidity which gives the wine a fighting chance to age well beyond decades. The wine has great texture and is very well balanced. This wine shows great pedigree.
R700.00 – R5,000.00
Inc. VAT.
How the wine is made
The grapes were picked between 22 and 23 Brix, then transported to the
winery and cooled to 1C. The grapes were loaded into the press whole and pressed for about 7 hours upon which the juice was transferred unsettled to barrel at about 600 NTU. The whole process takes place in the presence of oxygen and this greatly contributes to the wine’s ability to age. Fermentation sets in naturally after about 4 days and last for just over a month. Due to the low pH, the wine takes about 12 months to complete malolactic fermentation.
The Chardonnay barrels were rolled and not stirred for batonnage. This
enables the wine to benefit from sediment contact without too much oxygen uptake. The wine spent 16 months in barrel, which is exceptionally long for a white wine. Thirty percent new oak, while the rest were aged in second and third fill barrels. The wine was bottled unfiltered and matured in bottle for one year before release.
Where the grapes are from
Our Paserene Wine Range is made from grapes sourced from wine farms in Tulbagh, Elgin, and Franschhoek. We focus on quality attention-to-detail when it comes to our luxury Paserene Range, hence the choice of terroir for the range.
Our Chardonnay is sourced from Elgin, which gives the wine a light, feminine quality.
Soils and climates
Elgin is the coolest area with bokkeveld shale. It has a cooler climate which is best for aromatic white grapes, allowing them to retain their bright acidity and full flavour.
Franschhoek is more moderate in climate and has sandy soil. It is ideal for growing white grapes with a fruit-forward flavour, and the shadows of the mountains help to maintain the climate.
Tulbagh in the Breede River Valley has a hot climate that has cool evenings, with decomposed shale soil. The climate lends itself to wine that has richly developed flavours and long-lasting finishes.
2019 was another dry and hot year, even for Elgin. The wind was furious in early summer that did a fair amount of natural topping and crop thinning. Then the heat came and with the absence of rain we found that the wines are concentrated, deep and very characterful. Slightly lower yields were harvested than in 2018.
pH
3.51
Alcohol
13.66%
Total Acid
5.5 g/l
What you can expect when tasting
Green to gold in colour with a vibrantly clear tint. On the nose the wine shows bright citrus with whiffs of lemon sponge, honeysuckle and oatmeal, followed by chalk and a saline ocean spray. The wine boasts a broad and flavourful palate with domineering flavours of lime, complemented by rich yet still delicate tropical and notes of lightly grilled nuts.
This vintage is yet again endowed by exuberant acidity which gives the wine a fighting chance to age well beyond decades. The wine has great texture and is very well balanced. This wine shows great pedigree.
There is a gentle femininity to the wine, much like the Elgin terroir from which the grapes are sourced.
Oak, Butter, Vanilla
69 MENTIONS OF OAKY NOTES
Citrus, Lemon
39 MENTIONS OF CITRUS NOTES
Honey, Stone, Minerals
27 MENTIONS OF EARTHY NOTES
The art on the label
The artwork of our Paserene Range reflects the elegance of the wine inside the bottle and tells the story of the particular bottle.
The swift you will find on almost every label was drawn by miniaturist Lorraine Loots, and is a representation of Martin’s adventures abroad, the spreading of his wings, before returning home to create Paserene.
The label for our Chardonnay was created by talented local artist, Carmen Ziervogel and designer, Lauren Ann McCarthy. All labels were hand pressed using an old Heidelberg press.
The girl on the label of the Chardonnay represents the beauty of Mother Nature, and the tranquility of the Elgin setting, where the wine is from.
Food and wine combinations
For savoury dishes, pair this graceful Chardonnay with salmon that has been lightly poached and served in a buttery sauce to complement those oaty, warming notes. Orange-glazed duck pairs perfectly with the crispness of the wine.
For a truly decadent experience, pair our Chardonnay with a freshly baked lemon meringue pie with a toasted, buttery crust. Roast chicken with a lemon or lime glaze and a side of zingy green salad will make for a delicate summer meal partnered with a chilled glass of this vintage.
PORK
RICH FISH
(TUNA, SALMON ETC.)
VEGETARIAN
POULTRY
THE PASERENE NEST
Paserene’s tasting room is truly something special. Our tailor-made Franschhoek venue overlooks a small dam on our wine farm, a clever nod towards the swallow’s habit of swooping over water.
HOURS
Monday – Sunday
10:00 – 17:00
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