Prescient Chardonnay Report by Winemag Top 10

TOP 10 TASTING NOTES

95 points - Vriesenhof 2021

Total production: 1 650 bottles Abv: 13.26%

Matured in French oak barrels for 13 month, 10% new. Some flinty reduction before lemon and a hint of vanilla. The palate is pure and focused – excellent depth of fruit matched by driving acidity, the finish possessing a wonderfully pithy quality. Layers of flavour and great length.

94 points - Blaauwklippen 2022

Total production: 5 000 bottles Abv: 13.5%

Matured for 11 months in a combination of 228- and 300-litre barrels, 22% new. Lemon, oatmeal plus some yeasty complexity on the nose. The palate is dense and satisfyingly thick textured, fresh acidity providing balance. Full of flavour, the finish long and savoury.

94 points - Delaire Graff Terraced Block 2022

Total production: 4 460 bottles Abv: 13.35%

Matured for 10 months in 225-litre barrels, 40% new. Lime, lemon and white peach, a little leesy complexity and spice on the nose. The palate is remarkably harmonious with good fruit weight and texture offset by racy acidity, the finish long and saline.

94 points - Lothian of Elgin 2021

Total production: 10 000 bottles Abv: 13.5%

Matured for 11 months in 228-litre barrels, 25% new oak. The nose shows lemon and orange plus some leesy complexity. The palate is forceful in the best sense – concentrated fruit matched by big acidity, the finish long and savoury. Just the right amount of weight and texture.

94 points - Oak Valley Groenlandberg 2022

Total production: 9 400 bottles Abv: 13.21%

Matured for 10 months in barrel, 29% new. Attractive aromatics with top notes of flowers and herbs before lime, lemon and green apple, a touch of vanilla and hint of reduction. Dense fruit matched by racy acidity, the finish long and dry. Taut and vibrant now, this should mature with benefit.

94 points - Paul Clüver Village 2022

Total production: 66 000 bottles Abv: 12.8%

50% fermented in 2 500-litre oak vats, 36% in older 300-litre barrels, 8% in tank and 6% in concrete egg. Matured for eight months. Lime, lemon, some leesy complexity plus traces of vanilla and spice. Great fruit integrity and punchy acidity before a savoury finish. Complex and balanced.

93 points - Bellingham Homestead 2021

Total production: 20 000 bottles Abv: 13%

60% fermented in older 500-litre barrels and 40% in stainless steel tank. Some struck-match reduction before lemon, orange and pineapple while the palate is juicy, rich and round – has a particular brightness about it.

93 points - Delaire Graff Banghoek Reserve 2022

Total production: 8 020 bottles Abv: 13.48%

Matured for 10 months in 225-litre barrels, 40% new. Some struck-match reduction before peach, citrus and dried herbs on the nose. The palate, meanwhile, has lovely clarity of fruit – pure and fresh with a finish that is long and dry.

93 points - Journey's End V1 2022

Total production: 19 200 bottles Abv: 13.5%

Matured for nine months, 80% in barrel, 12% in concrete eggs and 8% in amphorae. Complex aromatics of citrus, oatmeal and earth with notes of flowers and herbs in the background while the palate shows pure fruit and bright acidity before a pithy finish. Nicely understated.

92 points - Cavalli Reserve 2022

Total production: 6 752 bottles Abv: 13%

Matured for 10 months in 225-litre barrels, 25% new. A hint of flinty reduction before citrus, oatmeal and a little nuttiness on the nose. The palate has a nice poise about it with clean fruit, racy acidity and a chalky finish.