Chardonnay
Domaine Roland Lavantureux Chablis 2022
The 2022 Chablis Village is aged 25% in barrel and 75% in stainless steel. It has a more austere but refreshingly energetic bouquet with green apple and fresh lime aromas. The palate is well-balanced, with a subtle reduction and good depth for its class. The 2022 has a taut line of acidity with hints of walnut and chai on the finish. It is a well-crafted Chablis Village that will age in bottle. Tasted blind at the BIVB tasting in Chablis. - Neal Martin, Vinous
BLANKbottle Seelug 2023
"One hot day, during the harvest of ’22, I was sampling a little (as yet) un-named Chardonnay vineyard which a good friend had told me about. Situated on the lower slopes of the Helderberg, it overlooks False Bay. Glancing over towards the ocean that day, I could clearly see that the off-shore wind was blowing. This was good news to the Strand local I am, as the elusive off-shore wind grooms the waves, making them perfect for my local surf spot. I made a mental note to get a move-on with my sampling, no time to lose. But 20 minutes later, as I once again raised my head from my berry-picking, grape-squashing exercise, I glanced over the bay. D’oh! (as Homer Simpson would say) - the wind had turned onshore. I could clearly see the tell-tale "wit perdjies" on the horizon heading towards shore. In a few minutes the perfectly groomed waves would be destroyed. Deflated, I carried on with the task at hand. Then, another 20 minutes later it hit me - SEELUG! It suddenly felt like someone was spraying my sun-baked face with a cool, misty oyster extract - a fragrance of fresh, salty, damp bamboo… So whilst the onshore might be wrecking waves, it simultaneously pushes the hot air inland and hugs every Chardonnay plant in that vineyard with a fragranced coolness which not many vines ever experience. Seelug - A fresh, elegantly oaked, limey and delicious Chardonnay - more to the serious side of things." - Winemaker's notes
Champagne Lanson Le Blanc de Blancs
Champagne Lanson Le Blanc de Blancs NV, "Based on the 2014 vintage (supplemented by fully 40% reserve wines) and disgorged in February 2020 with seven grams per liter dosage, Lanson's NV Brut Le Blanc de Blancs offers up attractive aromas of citrus oil, flowers, white peach and brioche. Medium to full-bodied, pillowy and fleshy, with racy acids and a pinpoint mousse, it concludes with a mouthwatering, delicately chalky finish." - William Kelley, Wine Advocate
Champagne Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs Vintage 2015
Champagne Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs 2015, "After the pillowy, chiseled 2013, Pol Roger's 2015 Brut Blanc de Blancs is cut from richer, broader cloth. Offering up aromas of crisp golden orchard fruit, white flowers and subtle hints of warm biscuits, it's full-bodied, broad and vinous, with a fleshy core of fruit, lively acids and a precise, chalky finish. In style, it's reminiscent of a somewhat more sun-kissed version of the 2012 rendition." - William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
Ronco-Gnemiz Chardonnay Sol 2021
"The 2021 Chardonnay Sol is quite restrained and delicate in the glass with floral nuances, crushed stones and lime. It's much more expressive on the palate, with brisk acidity giving life to its mineral-inflected orchard fruits. This tapers off with a pretty inner sweetness offsetting its youthful concentration, leaving hints of floral-laced apple and pear. The 2021 will take some time to come fully into focus." - Eric Guido, Vinous
Ronco-Gnemiz Chardonnay Ronco Basso 2021
"An attractive blend of crushed stone, white flowers, apple and vanilla custards make the 2021 Chardonnay Ronco Basso a total pleasure on the nose. This is pure hedonistic pleasure on the palate, with soothingly silky textures and ultra-ripe orchard fruits offset by a burst of candied lime. For all of its intensity, the 2021 cleans up beautifully though the finish, leaving hints of hazelnut and dried apricot that resonate. While a bit ripe in style, the 2021 overdelivers." - Eric Guido, Vinous
Newton Johnson Family Vineyards Chardonnay 2022
Newton Johnson Family Vineyards Chardonnay 2022, "Blending three different components from both sides of the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, this is a beautifully judged Chardonnay from a South African master of the variety. Voluptuous and textured, yet focused and energetic at the same time, it has struck match top notes, 22% new oak, citrus and vanilla spice flavours and a pithy, salty finish." - Tim Atkin MW
BLANKbottle Seelug 2022
BLANKbottle Seelug 2022, "Did it go through malolactic fermentation," I asked Pieter Walser. "I didn’t even check," he replied. But who cares? This is a delightful new Chardonnay from a sea breeze-influenced site on the Lower Heldeberg, showing notes of honey, fresh dough and lemon butter and a fresh, zesty finish." - Tim Atkin MW
Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Village 2020
Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Village 2020, "A little more lemon with lime in colour, and a more complete expression of Chablis on the nose, marine minerals alongside the fruit. A fresh lime note comes through on the palate along with the marine character, impeccable balance and very good length." - Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy
Newton Johnson Southend Chardonnay 2022
"Made with full malolactic - "it's not really a choice, it just kicks in," says Gordon Newton Johnson - this comes from a cooler, south-facing slope that tends to produce a steely style. Aged in 11% new wood, it's sappy, focused and refreshing, with lime and lemongrass flavours and a hint of struck match." - Tim Atkin MW
Colmant Cap Classique “Absolu” Zéro Dosage Non-Vintage
"Taut, linear, focused and appealingly bone dry, this all-Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs uses 16% "perpetual reserve" material dating back to 2006 and partial barrel fermentation of the base wine to create added complexity. Mouth-wateringly tangy and chiselled with salted lemon, biscuit and cashew flavours and thrilling palate length." - Tim Atkin MW
