De Wetshof Bateleur Chardonnay 2020

De Wetshof Bateleur Chardonnay 2021

De Wetshof Wine Estate has been owned and managed by the De Wet Family since 1949. It was the first Wine Estate to be officially registered in the Robertson Wine Appellation. While the Estate is a Chardonnay Specialist, other noble varieties are made in the cellar by Peter de Wet the family winemaker and his team. Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and the sublime Riesling make up the rest of the team.

De Wetshof Vineyards

This premier vineyard on the estate was planted in 1987 from plant material imported from Burgundy some years earlier. The planted section of the vineyard is 3.5 hectares in which over 13,000 vines were planted.

Freshly harvested Chardonnay

Hand harvesting takes place early in the morning before the summer heat rises in the vineyards, this helps with the retention of flavour and aromas. Once in the cellar, the grapes are destalked, pressed and th juice allowed to cool settle overnight. Clear juice is then racked off and is taken to French Oak Barrels, from Christian Radoux, a cooper in France and family friend. Batonnage, the stirring up of the lees with a wooden baton, takes place regularly which assists in broadening the flavours in the final wine. After some months, the wine is racked off the lees and spends further time to complete the oak maturation. The wine is then prepared for bottling.

De Wetshof Barrel Cellar

Pour

From a traditional Burgundy shaped bottle, closed with natural cork. The label is fittingly simple and elegant for a flagship wine like this. In the glass the wine is a glorious golden straw in colour. The aromas of citrus and desiccated pear segue on to the palate. Here there is a brilliant line of acidity, rich in citrus, an undertow of toasted nuts and a fullness and generosity and a long and gently waning aftertaste. A truly impressive glass. The wine will reward you handsomely after a couple of years of cool cellaring.

Alida Ryder’s Pan Seared Duck Breast with Honey Soy Glaze

Pair

The De Wetshof Bateleur Chardonnay 2020 is a serious wine which needs a well prepared dish to accompany it. It has enough oomph to tackle quite full flavoured dishes like pork belly, duck, and guinea fowl. Alida Ryder’s Pan Seared Duck Breast with Honey Soy Glaze is a perfect partner. Click HERE for her recipe. Do have a dawdle round her website, it is a wonderful source for cookery.

One of Alida’s successful cookery books