Bruce Jack – Viognier ‘Off The Charts’ – 2023

Description

PRODUCER NOTE:
Bruce Jack Wines is made up of a small, dynamic team which aims to celebrate authenticity and provenance, not just in the wine they craft, but in everything they do. Head winemakers Bruce Jack and Marlize Beyers have worked together for over two decades, since 2002, and both have extensive experience in many winemaking regions around the world. Human culture started at the tip of Africa, despite it being ‘off the charts’, so it is fitting that something as culturally rooted as wine should thrive there, inspiring the ‘Off the Charts’ wine range, crafted from grape varieties and regions that are South Africa’s viticultural cornerstones. The labels draw inspiration from the untamed majesty of the wilderness and the symbolic Basotho blanket. In 2023, Bruce Jack featured for the fourth consecutive year in the World’s Most Admired Wine Brands, an accolade awarded by the Drinks International.

VINTAGE:
Generally, winter was dry and warm with budbreak occurring early, around seven to 10 days earlier than usual. Spring and early summer growing conditions were favourable, with abundant rains just before véraison helping fruit quality. A cool and wet summer prolonged ripening and harvest. The Swartland region benefited from the absence of heatwaves, resulting in good quality fruit, albeit slightly lower quantity in 2023.

VINEYARD:
The Viognier vineyards lie at the heart of Swartland at elevations ranging from 60 to 300 metres above sea level. Nestled in ancient sandstone and shale soils, the vineyards benefit from a unique combination of factors. The region experiences scorching, dry summers followed by cool, wet winters, creating an environment that maximizes the development of flavours and aromas in the grapes. Viognier is very well suited to the dry-land conditions of the Swartland and thrives in the microclimate. The ample sunshine and warm temperatures during the growing season allow the grapes to fully ripen and develop their characteristic fragrant flavours and aromas. The vineyards are sustainably cultivated and the grapes are hand-harvested.

WINEMAKING:
To ensure a medley of layered fruit flavours and aromatic freshness, a specific approach was employed in the in the cellar by working exclusively with free-run juice, followed by slow and controlled fermentation at low temperatures. 47% was barrelfermented and matured in neutral oak for four months, while 53% was fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged on the fine lees in tank to retain the vibrancy of the fruit.

TASTING NOTE:
An enticing and invigorating Viognier with aromatic and luscious notes of peach and apricot leading to a vibrant palate full of character and charm.

GRAPE:
Viognier 100%.

COUNTRY:
South Africa

REGION:
Western Cape

SUB-REGION:
Swartland