ASARA Chardonnay Reserve 2003 75cl Bottle

The 2003 harvest can be described as one of the finest vintages since 1998. During May 2002 a high rainfall was recorded with particularly cold weather. A good budding occurred due to a cool spring of the 2002 growing season, whilst a low rainfall created favourable conditions. In Stellenbosch the average temperature for the months December 2002 to March 2003, was ca. 22 Degrees C, despite the normal fluctuations. Grapes could ripen slowly and the optimum maturity was reached with ideal sugar and high flavour retention. Temperatures were cool during January and February and dry conditions kept rot and mildew at bay. As a result of the cooler ripening season and drier summer the berry size was smaller with an excellent skin to pulp ratio.