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Buy any 6 bottles and save 5%. Buy any 12 bottles and save 10% (excludes wines on offer). Free UK delivery on orders over £100. Tel: 02922 337454
Buy any 6 bottles and save 5%. Buy any 12 bottles and save 10% (excludes wines on offer). Free UK delivery on orders over £100. Tel: 02922 337454
2020 Chardonnay, Baleia Wines Wine Republic

2022 Chardonnay, Baleia Wines

Western Cape, South Africa

Baleia is a place of whales and wonder, where wines are born from rocky limestone soil in a remote and unspoilt corner of the Cape South Coast. Here vines overcome fierce elements to create fruit with singular character and depth of flavour. Beyond evocative wine, Baleia is also about finding harmony between self, others and nature in pursuit of life’s perfect equilibrium.

Textured, bright and quietly distinctive, this opens with white pear, peach and stone fruit, layered with citrus zest, white spice and delicate floral notes. There is richness here, but also a wonderful sense of freshness and precision.

The palate is broad and gently rounded, with ripe peach and citrus wrapped around a firm core of chalky minerality and subtle maritime salinity. Older French oak brings discreet spice and shape, while amphora preserves the wine’s purity and energy. Dry, composed and beautifully food-friendly, it finishes long and mouth-watering.

For when: You want Chardonnay with texture and character, but without a heavy hand of oak.

Pairs with: Roast chicken, grilled hake, seared scallops, creamy pasta, pork tenderloin, extravagant salads or lightly spiced dishes.

The Chardonnay vines grow in almost pure limestone near the Lower Duiwenhoks River on South Africa’s remote Cape South Coast. Planted just nine kilometres from the ocean, the vineyard combines cooling maritime influence with intensely mineral soils, giving the wine its distinctive freshness, chalky texture and gentle saline character.

Whats in the bottle
100% Chardonnay

£17.50 - £17.50
£17.50
£17.50 - £17.50
£17.50
Availability:
In stock

Established in 2009 by the Joubert family, their winemaking style is inspired by the Mediterranean climate. Their ethos is to create wines that reflect the unique terroir and elements of their remarkable location. In fact, Baleia is the only winery on the Lower Duiwenhoks River in Vermaaklikheid. `Baleia` is Portuguese for `whale` and the striking labels are inspired by St. Sebastien Bay, the ‘Whale Nursery of South Africa’.

The true essence of the Baleia property lies in the soil, which consists largely of pure, solid limestone with a very high mineral content. This aspect, along with their close proximity to the sea, creates a particular mouthfeel to the wines, reminiscent of chalky minerality and maritime salinity. At Baleia, the winemaking cycle begins with consistent attention to detail in the vineyards. They believe healthy soil promotes healthy roots and vine wellbeing, which produce beautifully balanced fruit. This soil is also home to the very rare Canca fynbos, which is endemic to the South Coast and one of very few fynbos species to flourish in the alkaline environment of limestone outcrops.

Their philosophy is all about portraying the characteristic aspect of the site; making wines that are true to their terroir and can be identified by their very specific mineral and maritime character in a blind tasting. These inherent qualities are allowed to take centre stage in the wines through minimal intervention in the cellar, to ensure that they do not cloud the natural beauty. In their own words, `when you savour a glass of Baleia, you’ll known the circle is complete.`

The 2022 Chardonnay was made entirely from Chardonnay grown in a vineyard planted in 2010 and 2011. The vines are clone 95, grafted onto R110 and R99 rootstocks, and planted at an altitude of 99 metres on a seven-degree south-facing slope of agglomerated limestone.

The grapes were harvested between 6am and 8am towards the end of February, preserving their freshness and aromatic clarity. Fermentation took place over approximately two weeks in a combination of terracotta amphora and older French oak barrels.

The wine was then matured for 11 months, with 50% aged in amphora and 50% in third- and fourth-fill French barriques. This combination gives the wine texture and breadth while retaining its citrus freshness, mineral definition and purity of fruit.

Alcohol: 13.3%. Residual sugar: 2.6g/L. Total acidity: 5.5g/L. Volatile acidity: 0.45g/L. pH: 3.42.