Wine of the Day #61: Constantia Uitsig unwooded Chardonnay 2009

How much? R120;
Where? Constantia Uitsig Restaurant (0)21 794 4480;
Why? Chardonnay struggles in Constantia. The un-irrigated vines at Uitsig are 20 years old and riddled with virus but 2009 was “a special vintage” for winemaker André Rousseau and this creamy, nutty, charmer is proof positive.

André Rousseau

André Rousseau

50% of the wine is fermented cool for those New World pear and apple flavours while the balance if fermented warm for those Old World nuts. Made oxidatively (“the juice comes in brown” says André) to minimize bitter phenols it is kept on the lees to give a creamy, almost woody, mouth feel. An exceptional wine.

Rating? *****

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