Crocodile’s Lair Chardonnay 2020
R195
Wine Club Members pay only R166. Find out more
The Kaaimansgat or Crocodile’s Lair vineyard is hidden away in the Elandskloof Valley behind the village of Villiersdorp, just 80km from Hermanus. A beautiful spot inside a blind valley nestled amongst majestic mountains. Bouchard Finlayson has been linked directly to this vineyard for close to twenty six years. It is located 700m above sea level, ripens a month later than other Cape Chardonnays and benefits enormously from cool autumn temperatures. The vines are not irrigated and they produce small berries of high skin to juice ratio, which adds an extra flavour component to this superior wine.
170 in stock
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Vintage
Spring 2019 saw ideal weather conditions during flower and fruit set, heightening expectations for the upcoming vintage. However, our hopes were soon challenged by the atypical and unstable weather presented early in the New Year. Fortunately, dry conditions set in as soon as harvest commenced, with the crop remaining healthy. Volumes recovered slightly from the light 2019 vintage and all-round, unexpectedly positive, fruit-quality was delivered to the cellar.
Recent Awards
94 pts – Michael Fridjhon, Wine Wizard, 2022
93 pts – International Wine Challenge, 2022
91 pts – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 2022
Vinification
This remote vineyard is planted to Chardonnay clones 76 and 95 – each expressing the site in their own unique way. Once the juices are liberated from the berries, it is left to settle for 10hours in tank, without the addition of any enzymes. This juice, still containing a fair amount of solids, are transferred to barrel for fermentation. These solids impact the sensory profile and improve mouthfeel. Aiming for increased fruit focus, our traditional 228L barrels are now complemented by a number of 350L barrels. The final blend is racked to tank, following eight month’s maturation and bottled in January 2021.
Analysis
Alcohol: 13.59 vol%
Acid: 5.6 g/l
Residual Sugar: 2.6 g/l
pH: 3.43
Total SO2: 86 mg/l
Volatile Acidity: 0.56 g/l
Allergens: Sulphites
Suitable for Vegans
Tasting notes
Lush mineral spice and stone fruit blossom at the fore. Explosive lime-infused
flavours of green apple are amplified by a precise energy. Gentle touch of candied
ginger and toast. Vivacious and lasting finish. Drink now through 2025.
Food pairing
The richness of the wine works very well with a mild tandoori salmon and coriander chutney. Leafy herb salad with a light drizzle of miso dressing. Classic avocado ritz.
