Kasteelberg Chardonnay 2014

The Kasteelberg range of wines, celebrates the discovery of Riebeek and the Kasteelberg mountainsin 1661. Kasteelberg stands sentinal over the fertile valley below. From the slopes of the mountians, hand-selected grapes are expertly crafted with care to produce rare and expressive wines. The Kasteelberg range truly is the pinnacle of our Winemakers'art.

Rich and golden with strong tropical aromas, beautifully enhanced by subtle tones of well-integrated oak. Although upfront and bold, the secret of this wine is in its exceptional balance, an outstanding version of the classic Chardonnay.

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Marcassin Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is made from 100 percent Chardonnay. 

The 2014 Chardonnay from the Marcassin Vineyard could be described as a letdown after two perfect wines, but of course, it’s not. It shares the great intensity of its predecessors, doesn’t seem to have quite the complexity and profound depth of either the 2012 or 2013, but since it’s younger, that may appear with more time in the bottle. Certainly the tangerine oil, caramelized citrus, honeysuckle and lemon blossom are all present in this wine of impressive fruit purity, equilibrium and length. Like the 2013 and 2012, it has at least 10-15 years of aging potential.. -Wine Advocate 96 Points

What an extraordinary tasting this was at the Marcassin winery just north of Santa Rosa in Sonoma County. Just when you think the duo of Helen Turley and John Wetlaufer can’t make greater wines, they bowl over the taster with an array of exquisite quality that really must be tasted to be believed. Marcassin was probably California’s greatest Chardonnay after the famous Chalone winery fell from the pinnacle and onto hard times in the 1980s (and it has yet to rebound). Moreover, Marcassin set the bar for great Pinot Noir as well. And while both their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir have many competitors these days (from the likes of Harford Court, Mark Aubert, Kistler, Kongsgaard, DuMol, Thomas Brown, Peter Michael, Martinelli and Luc Morlet, to name a few), John Wetlaufer and Helen Turley remain the reigning geniuses of these two varietals in California. Certainly, their meticulous attention to detail in both the vineyard and in the winemaking and élevage account for the quality, but they were among the pioneers who saw the unlimited potential from the Sonoma Coast, now a relatively crowded neighborhood. This was a remarkable tasting that simply blew me away, and I have been following their wines since the first Marcassins were made in the early 1990s. By the way, any doubts about aging potential should be crushed immediately, as even in the most challenging vintages in California, Marcassin Chardonnays and Pinots have aged as well as, if not better than just about any grand cru white Burgundy. For example, 1995 and 1996 Chardonnays, particularly those from the Lorenzo Vineyard, are incredibly youthful and dynamic, and the Marcassin Estate Pinot Noir, even from vintages such as 1998, is simply amazing. The three Chardonnays tasted include two perfect wines. Perhaps the closest comparison is not to anything made in California, but a Corton-Charlemagne in a top vintage from the famous Jean François Coche-Dury.

Barrel fermented in mixed age French oak producing a medium clear lemon color. This wine has a luminescent, straw color with a subtle sheen. Meyer lemon, white nectarine, baking spice, and salt water taffy on the nose. The palette offers up warm oak spice, sandalwood, and stone fruit.

With a lemon-butter-cream texture, this wine is lush yet still very bright and fresh. Lively acidity, with a custard type of roundness/richness, and the warm oak spice follows through on the pallet. Delicious balance between richness and freshness.

As with all our whites, this wine will reward you for cellaring.

Reviews:

Bright straw. Fresh citrus and orchard fruits, smoky minerals and ginger on the incisive nose. Silky and focused on the palate, offering nervy Meyer lemon and green apple flavors that give way to deeper melon and peach with air. Finishes silky and long, displaying an echo of bitter citrus pith and lingering spiciness. - Vinous 90 Points

Bright, taut and focused, with spicy pear and Meyer lemon flavors that dance into a long and lively finish. Drink now through 2020. 680 cases made. - Wine Spectator 90 Points

Jip Jip Rocks Chardonnay 2014  is made from 100 percent unoaked Chardonnay.

Light yellow with a pale straw hue. A classic nose of lemon, fresh stonefruit and melon. The palate is clean and fresh with mineral characters underpinning ripe pineapple and lime flavours. This wine will age beautifully over the next 4-5 years.

 Winemaking report: Gentle pressing and free run juices create the base of this wine. Traditionally Jip Jip Rocks Chardonnay is a 2/3 blend fermented and matured in stainless steel and 1/3 fermented in stainless steel, which receives extended lees contact to add texture and complexity to the palate.

Kasteelberg Pinotage is made from 100 percent Pinotage.

The Kasteelberg range of wines, celebrates the discovery of Riebeek and the Kasteelberg mountains in 1661. Kasteelberg stands sentinal over the fertile valley below. From the slopes of the mountians, hand-selected grapes are expertly crafted with care to produce rare and expressive wines. The Kasteelberg range truly is the pinnacle of our Winemakers'art.

Harvested from an exceptional vineyard in the heart of the Swartland, the Kasteelberg Pinotage is characterised as a well-structured wine, offering layers of flavours and aromas. Seductive rich plum flavors with notes of captivating dark chocolate follows through in a smooth and lingering palate of intense flavors integrated with the freshness of ripened cherries.

Grapes used for this wine are coming from vines that are 10 years old in average. It is also sustainable farming used for this plot.

The grapes were cold-soaked for 3 days at 10°C to extract as much color as possible before fermentation. After cold-soaking, the temperature is increased to around 18°C and yeast is added to start fermentation. Regular pump-overs are done to enhance skin contact which improves the flavor and color profiles. Fermentation temperature between 22 - 26°C. Fermented dry on skins, pressed. After malolactic fermentation, wine is transferred to barrels. French oak barrels, 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill barrels for 12 months.The grapes were cold-soaked for 3 days at 10°C to extract as much color as possible before fermentation. After cold-soaking, the temperature is increased to around 18°C and yeast is added to start fermentation. Regular pump-overs are done to enhance skin contact which improves the flavor and color profiles. Fermentation temperature between 22 - 26°C. Fermented dry on skins, pressed. After malolactic fermentation, wine is transferred to barrels. French oak barrels, 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill barrels for 12 months.