Jordan Wine Estate, Nine Yards Chardonnay, 2010

Another blue chip Chardonnay which is a complete contrast to the Bateleur. This single vineyard, full throttle expression of Jordan terroir takes no prisoners. Winemaker, Sjaak Nelson, ferments the juice in barriques (virtually entirely new French oak) and then ages it sur lie for a further 12 months in oak during which he rolls the barrels to accentuate the leesy character. According to Nelson, it is a white wine for red wine drinkers. Expansive, big, spicy, voluptuous, with butterscotch, cloves, pear and minerals. Rich exotic and memorably long. Tasted in South Africa in September 2015.