The Privee series is a careful selection of the finest wines from the Fleur du Cap cellar. The grapes are selected from two vineyards in the Stellenbosch region. The first is situated on the slopes of the majestic Helderberg Mountains, facing west with a north-south orientation. This vineyard was planted in 1993 and enjoys a gentle, cooling breeze from the Atlantic Ocean in the afternoon. The second comes from the Stellenbosch Kloof, planted in 2006 and situated on a warmer eastern slope. Irrigation is supplemental and is applied towards the end of the growing season, with harvest taking place in late February.
After harvest, the grapes are fermented in stainless steel tanks, after which they are pressed and the juice is clarified. After a quarter of fermentation is complete, the wine is transferred to 40 percent first-fill, 40 percent second-fill, and 20 percent third-fill oak barrels. Bâtonnage takes place every two weeks, and the wine spends nine months in barrel to ensure the perfect marriage of fruit and oak flavors. Only the finest batches were selected for the final blend.
On the nose, this Chardonnay Unfiltered has hints of ripe peach, apricot, mango, pineapple, and vanilla. The palate is very powerful and richly textured, very creamy, with broad flavors of tropical fruit, vanilla, toast, wood, and hints of dried peach and apricot. A true celebration, what a rich, full flavor! Don't drink it too cold, as that's a shame, and there may be some sediment in the wine because it's unfiltered!
