SAQ Stellenbosch, Chardonnay V1 2022, Journey’s End, South Africa

Follow this link for SAQ: https://www.saq.com/fr/15296764

Chardonnay for the relatives

Even if we love to hate Chardonnay and its sub-equatorial variations, one must admit that when it’s poured, #folks generally ask for more.

With this in mind, this Journey’s End will be the perfect companion for hosting relatives you don't want to over-challenge on a summer evening. Much like the late motel chain of the same name, this Stellenbosch Chardonnay aims to be inclusive and will please a broad family audience.

The vines are located near the ocean and are subject to significant temperature variations that allow for a long maturation of the grapes on the vine. In the cellar, varied fermentations and aging methods are used (neutral barrels, concrete eggs, amphorae, and others), with lees aging for 9 months and stirring (bâtonnage) to provide that generous mouthfeel. One might fear a "New World" caricature at this point, but the almost total absence of malolactic fermentation gives us an acidity and balance based on zest and a certain salinity.

You’ll enjoy the citrus and orange blossom notes, and the fresh but balanced palate.

• Pairing: Honey and citrus-marinated chicken thighs, grilled on the BBQ and served casually.
• Anecdote: In the summer of 2020, in the midst of the COVID lockdown, the Gabbs (the family behind the vineyard) launched the Journey’s End Foundation with the goal of providing 500,000 meals through a community soup kitchen initiative for the most affected communities. One year later, 1 million meals had been prepared thanks to the initiative, double the target. Everything continues four years later, as unlike the pandemic, poverty remains a reality in South Africa….
• To better understand Chardonnay: Get on the mailing list for the "Chardonnay Varietal" aperitif at the start of the school year.
• For a South African Chardonnay that is just as clean and pleasant but with more pronounced acidity, Whitehall Chardonnay 2020, Neil Ellis, Elgin, $33 at the SAQ (14906911)