Winemag.co.za
, in association with financial services company Prescient, announced the top Chardonnays – from a record number of 117 entries – at a celebratory sundowner event at the Norval Foundation in Cape Town on Tuesday, 16 October.
The report, which is compiled by SA wine critic Christian Eedes and his panel of expert wine judges, highlights two key facts: South Africa’s ability to produce exceptional Chardonnays across multiple regions and the category’s continuing increase in quality. Out of the top 24 wines, 10 were from Stellenbosch, six were from Elgin, three were from the greater Hemel-en-Aarde area, two from Franschhoek, one from Constantia, one from Darling and one a multi-regional blend.
Speaking at the awards, Eedes indicated that the overall quality of the wines in the line-up this year was excellent, with an average score being 89.9/100. “This would suggest that local Chardonnay is not in some mysterious state of stagnation but rather going from strength to strength,” Eedes states in his report.
Winemag Business Unit Director, Jacqueline Lahoud commented: “The Chardonnay category is a highlight on the annual Winemag Report calendar, and we would like to thank our sponsor Prescient, for their ongoing support. This company specialises in investment and it is worth pointing out that any of these Chardonnays will make excellent investments – if only for the drinking pleasure they will all deliver on in the future!”
RESULTS:
Wines to rate 90 or higher were as follows:
94
Delaire Graff Terraced Block Reserve 2016
94
La Bri 2017 – Cybercellar price: R137
94
Le Riche 2017 – Cybercellar price: R155
94
Meerlust 2017 – Cybercellar price: R232
94
Paul Cluver Seven Flags 2017
93
Creation Reserve 2017
93
Delaire Graff Banghoek Reserve 2017
93
DeMorgenzon Reserve 2017 – Cybercellar price: R425
93
Domaine Des Dieux 2014
93
Eikendal 2017 – Cybercellar price: R178
93
Groot Constantia 2017 – Cybercellar price: R240
93
Hartenberg The Eleanor 2016 – Cybercellar price: R380
93
Henri Boillot Meursault 2016
93
Kershaw GPS Lower Duivenhoks River 2017
93
Kruger Family Wines Walker Bay 2017
93
Longridge 2017
93
Malanot Malan Family Reserve 2016
93
Oak Valley Groenlandberg 2017 – Cybercellar price: R260
93
Olivier Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet 2015
93
Sutherland Elgin 2017 – Cybercellar price: R140
92
Elgin Vintners 2014
92
Groote Post Kapokberg 2017 – R180
92
Journey’s End Destination 2017 – Cybercellar price:R282
92
Kershaw Clonal Selection Elgin 2017
92
La Motte 2017 – Cybercellar price: R140
92
Tokara Reserve Collection Stellenbosch 2017 – Cybercellar price: R195
91
Almenkerk 2017
91
Bartinney Hourglass 2017
91
Eikendal Infused by Earth 2016
91
Goedverwacht Maxim Limited Release 2017
91
Iona 2017
91
Jordan Nine Yards 2016
91
Longridge 2016
91
Neil Ellis Whitehall Elgin 2017
91
Plaisir de Merle 2017
91
Stellenbosch Vineyards Credo 2016
91
Stellenbosch Vineyards Credo 2017
91
Uva Mira The Mira 2017
91
Uva Mira The Single Tree 2016
91
Vrede en Lust Marguerite 2016
90
Aaldering 2017
90
Babylonstoren 2017 – Cybercellar price: R239
90
Badsberg Sur Lie 2017
90
Bersig Barrel Fermented 2016
90
Cape Point Vineyards 2017
90
Creation The Art of Chardonnay 2017
90
Durbanville Hills 2017
90
Edgebaston 2017
90
Esona Single Vineyard 2015
90
Fleur du Cap Series Privée 2017
90
Glen Carlou Quartzstone 2017
90
Haskell Anvil 2017
90
Hazendal 2017
90
Highlands Road 2016
90
Highlands Road 2017
90
Jordan Barrel Fermented 2017 – Cybercellar price: R172
90
Julien Schaal Evidence 2017
90
Julien Schaal Confluence 2017
90
Kershaw The Smuggler’s Boot 2016
90
Kershaw The Smuggler’s Boot 2017
90
Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection 2017 – Cybercellar price: R120
90
Kruger Family Wines Klipkop 2017
90
La Vierge Jezebelle 2017 – Cybercellar price: R145
90
Louisvale 2017
90
Lourensford Limited Release 2017
90
Môreson Dr. Reason Why 2017
90
Muratie Isabella Reserve 2017
90
Oldenburg Vineyards 2017
90
Paul Cluver Estate 2017
90
Rustenberg Five Soldiers 2017
90
Stellenbosch Reserve Moederkerk 2018
90
Stonebird 2016
90
Sutherland Elgin Reserve 2016 – Cybercellar price: R300
90
Uva Mira 2016
