Technical Analysis
Grapes for the Seven Flags Chardonnay are selected from the two oldest Chardonnay vineyards on the Cluver estate, which are also the oldest vineyards in Elgin.
Tasting note
This wine shows a light-yellow green hue, and the nose is expressive with notes of fresh citrus zest which is complemented by stone fruit and hints of oak. The palate is an exciting combination of crisp citrus fruit with great complexity, concentration, and hints of oak in the background. The wine is elegant with a long and lingering finish
Vintage conditions
After a cold winter with higher-than-average rainfall, the area experienced great growing conditions leading to the 2021 harvest. Spring and summer were cooler with 190 hours of temperatures below 10°C than the previous vintage. The moderate day temperatures and cool night temperatures was ideal for the development of flavour and retaining high natural acidities in the grapes. Picking in the early hours of the morning, grapes are cooled overnight in cold storage to ensure optimal quality. The grapes for the Seven Flags Chardonnay were harvested on the 24th of March from the oldest Chardonnay Vineyards planted in 1987.
Vinification details
The grapes were whole bunch pressed, settled without any settling agents. The juice was then transferred to barrel for fermentation, which is a 100% non-inoculated fermentation in a selection of French oak barrels. (35% new, 45% 2nd and the rest 3rd fill.) Regular lees stirring was done and the wine remained on the lees for a total of nine months without any sulphur addition. We like to retain as much of the natural acidity as possible which gives great freshness to the wine, thus we like to avoid malolactic fermentation. After tasting and blending trials, the wine was assembled from the best barrels; stabilized and prepared for bottling.
Technical Analysis
Grapes for the Seven Flags Chardonnay are selected from the two oldest Chardonnay vineyards on the Cluver estate, which are also the oldest vineyards in Elgin.
Tasting note
This wine shows a light-yellow green hue, and the nose is a beautiful melody of fresh citrus fruits which is complimented by stone fruit and hints of oak. The palate is pure, precise, and focussed with great complexity, concentration, texture with a lingering and layered aftertaste. The wine is complex and elegant with great cellaring potential.
Vintage conditions
The growing season of the vines, prior and during to the 2020 harvest, consisted of moderate day temperatures and cool night temperatures which was ideal for the development of quality grapes. A good volume of rain fell in October 2019 and January 2020 which benefited the vineyards greatly. The grapes for the Seven Flags Chardonnay were harvested on the 21st of February and the 11th of March from our oldest Chardonnay Vineyards planted in 1987
Vinification details
The grapes were whole bunch pressed, settled without any settling agents, juice was then transferred to barrel for fermentation, a 100% non-inoculated fermentation in a selection of French oak barrels. (36% new, the rest 2nd and 3rd fill.) Lees stirring was kept to a minimum and the wine remained on the lees for a total of nine months without any sulphur addition. The wine retains as much of the natural acidity as possible which gives great freshness to the wine. After tasting and blending trials, the wine was assembled from the best barrels; stabilized and prepared for bottling.
Technical Analysis
Grapes for the Seven Flags Chardonnay are selected from the two oldest Chardonnay vineyards on the Cluver estate, which are also the oldest vineyards in Elgin.
Tasting note
Seven Flags Chardonnay 2018 is a great combination between elegance and concentration. The wine shows a light hay hue and the nose is expressive with notes of fresh citrus zest complemented by stone fruit and hints of oak. The palate is an exciting combination of crisp citrus fruit with great complexity, concentration and hints of oak in the background. The wine is elegant with a long and lingering finish.
Vintage conditions
The very cool night temperatures experienced in Elgin helped the grapes retain freshness leading up to harvest, which for the Seven Flags Chardonnay took place on 5th and 8th March.
Vinification details
After whole bunch pressing and settling (without any settling agents), the wine was 100% wild fermented in a selection of French oak barrels; 30% new, the rest second and third fill. Lees stirring was done to a lesser degree than in previous years to retain freshness. The wine remained on the lees for a total of nine months without any sulphur addition. A small proportion of the final blend underwent malolactic fermentation. After tasting and blending trials, the wine was assembled from the best barrels, stabilised and prepared for bottling.
Technical Analysis
Grapes for the Seven Flags Chardonnay are selected from the two oldest Chardonnay vineyards on the Cluver estate, which are also the oldest vineyards in Elgin.
Tasting note
The wine shows a slight green hue, while the nose is a melody of fresh citrus fruit with some winter melon and hints of oak in the background. The palate is an exciting combination of citrus fruit with great poise, concentration, a great salinity and hints of oak in the background.
Vintage conditions
With the Western Cape being in a three-year drought, the summer leading to the 2017 harvest will be remembered as one of the driest. Fortunately, the very cool night temperatures in Elgin helped the grapes retain freshness. The fruit for the Seven Flags Chardonnay was harvested on the 6th and 7th March from the estate’s oldest Chardonnay vineyards planted in 1987.
Vinification details
After whole bunch pressing and settling (without any settling agents), the wine was 100% wild fermented in a selection of French oak barrels; 35% new, the rest second and third fill. Lees stirring was done to a much lesser degree than in previous years to retain freshness. The wine remained on the lees for a total of nine months without any sulphur addition. Only 30% of the wine went through malolactic fermentation, all without inoculation. After tasting and blending trials, the wine was assembled from the best barrels, stabilised and prepared for bottling.
AWARDS
Tim Atkin MW: 95 pts
IWC: Silver
DWWA: Silver
IWSC: Silver Outstanding
Vinous: 93 pts
Jamie Goode: 95 pts
Technical Analysis
Grapes for the Seven Flags Chardonnay are selected from the two oldest Chardonnay vineyards on the Cluver estate, which are also the oldest vineyards in Elgin.
Tasting note
Buttered toast/brioche on the nose with some citrus notes of tangerine fruit and citrus blossom, with hints of vanilla pod and ruby grapefruit at the end. These characteristics follow through onto the palate. The fine, fresh acidity lifts the fruit, give the wine lovely freshness, poise and focus.
Vintage conditions
After a dry winter the summer leading to the 2016 harvest will be remembered as one of the driest in the Western Cape, it was also the earliest harvest experienced at the estate. Fortunately, the very cool night temperatures in Elgin helped the grapes retain freshness.
Vinification details
After whole bunch pressing and settling (without any settling agents), the wine was 100% wild fermented in a selection of French oak barrels; 28% new, the rest second and third fill. Lees stirring was done to a much lesser degree than in previous years to retain freshness. The wine remained on the lees for a total of nine months without any sulphur addition. Only 10% of the wine went through malolactic fermentation, all without inoculation, further ensuring freshness and acidity. After tasting and blending trials, the wine was assembled from the best barrels, stabilised and prepared for bottling.
AWARDS
DWWA 2017: Platinum and Trophy 'Best Chardonnay'
Tim Atkin MW: 95 pts
Platter: 4.5*
IWSC 2017: Silver Outstanding
IWC 2017: Silver
