Description
Aged for 9 months in French oak barrels, 30% new, this Chardonnay is a masterpiece of balance and finesse. Pale straw in color, it captivates with a seamless and elegant nose of zesty citrus, lime sherbet, raw cashew, and a touch of orange blossom. The palate is juicy and vibrant, revealing layers of fresh citrus, succulent white peach, persimmon, and quince. Its fine, chalky texture and mineral core lead to a lingering finish with the delightful tang of naartjie. Terrific length, poise, and complexity make this wine an exceptional expression of Chardonnay.
Food Pairing: Complements oily, flaky fish, salmon, poultry, vegetables, and soft cheeses beautifully.
Reviews
Decanter 95
One of the pioneers of fine Stellenbosch Chardonnay, Uva Mira’s wines have been made by Christiaan Coetzee since 2012. From about 30ha of vines in the Helderberg mountains, no expense has been spared by owner Toby Venter, who knows a thing or two about luxury, having represented Bentley, Porsche and Lamborghini in South Africa. From decomposed granite soils at 385m some 9km from windy False Bay, this sees 30% new oak for nine months. JM: Ripe, rich stone fruits with expensive oak interleaved. Slight reduction. Concentrated, powerful palate needs a year. Deft balance, well-integrated wood. Mouthcoating finish promises good things. AH: Touch of wet wool on the palate but the overall effect is of great complexity and interest. Stone fruit notes, plenty of drive and energy from the acidity and mineral notes. RJ: Oyster shell, delicate Williams pear and white nectarines. Sublime poise and stature. Clean, delicate, perfumed, mineral and focused. Drink 2025 – 2040. Alc. 13% [Decanter, 19/06/2024]
Producer Profile
Given owner Toby Venter’s assumed need for speed, as CEO of LSM Distributors, responsible for Porsche and Lamborghini in South Africa, as well as the owners of Kyalami race track, his purchase of Uva Mira Mountain Vineyards in 2013, up against the slopes of the Helderberg seems in direct contrast to this high octane lifestyle.
Everything in wine is time. Uva Mira is named for a famous star in the constellation of Cetus (a Greek sea monster who was offered the princess Andromeda to appease Poseidon but was slain by Perseus either by sword or using Medusa’s head which turned him to stone – the details are complicated and murky). The giant red star named ‘the wonderful’ or ‘Mira’ in Latin undergoes a 332-day cycle of fading into obscurity, becoming bright, and then fading again (over almost a year), drawing parallels between winemaking and stargazing. The patience inherent to growing grapes, understanding the terroir, blending, and maturation, the once-a-year opportunity to harvest, and the celebration once you can taste the literal fruits of your labour – explains the name Uva Mira, Latin meaning The Wonderful Grape.
