Black Elephant Zero Dosage

Wine: Black Elephant Vintners Chardonnay Zero Dosage Methode Cap Classique
Wine of Origin: 100% Elgin
Bottling date: 14 November 2019
Production: 12 000 x 750ml
Technical Analysis: Alcohol Extract Ph TA VA FSO2 TSO2 RS
12.30%vol. 20.2g/l 3.2 8.0g/l 0.24g/l 15mg/l 65mg/l 1.4g/l
The fruit for our 2011 Chardonnay Zero Dosage Methode Cap Classique was selected from a single
vineyard growing in the cool climate Elgin Valley. The cool growing conditions allows the fruit the ripen
to their full phenolic potential and produces a wine with fantastic ageing ability.
Harvest Date:
Mid-February 2011
Winemaking:
Our Chardonnay Zero Dosage Methode Cap Classique is made from a single vineyard growing in the
cool climate Elgin valley. The final wine comprises 100% Chardonnay with a total of 100 months in bottle
prior to disgorging with zero dosage added. The Chardonnay grapes are hand harvested in 20kg lug
boxes and allowed to chill overnight in our cold room. All our fruit are handpicked in the early morning
and handled reductively to preserve the integrity of the fruit. A light whole bunch pressing according to
the traditional champagne method is followed by 2days of cold settling to clarify the juice. A maximum
of 500l/ton is recovered at this stage. The juice is inoculated with selected Champagne yeast to enhance
freshness and elegance in the basewine. Fermentation lasts for 14days at 15°C. 3 Months of full lees
contact is allowed post fermentation to add richness and texture to the wine. This is followed by
bentonite fining and a light filtration prior to bottling for second fermentation under crown cap. This
wine spent a total of 100 months in bottle maturing on it’s lees before disgorging.
Maturation:
3 Months on primary lees prior to second fermentation. 100 months in bottle prior to disgorging.
Tasting note:
Zero Dosage represents Methode Cap Classique in its purest form and allows the grape, site and vintage
to shine. Bright yellow with green hue the nose invites with a vibrant bouquet of peach, almonds and
exotic spice. The palate shows stone fruits, hints of brioche and lingering mousse.