De Wetshof Bon Vallon 2019
I remember once talking to Danie de Wet of De Wetshof about unwooded Chardonnay. It was for a 4-minute radio interview. He talked for over 9 minutes. We had some judicious editing to do to bring it back to 4 minutes. He predicted then, that with the maturing of South Africa’s Chardonnay vines, the fruit would not necessarily need the support of French Oak Barrels as it would be able to stand on its own.
Danie de Wet, Chardonnay Specialist in Robertson, in his vineyard
Pour
From a Burgundy shaped bottle, closed with natural cork. The label is simple and elegant. In the glass, the wine is a pale wheaten colour, gem bright. The aromas are of citrus, fynbos flowers, roasted hazelnuts while the palate is sappy with fine fruit and an undertow of minerals.
To read more about De Wetshof Wine Estate – CLICK HERE
Zandvliet Chardonnay 2019
Zandvliet was one of the first estates in the Robertson Valley to bottle an Estate Shiraz. Today the Estate produces a wider range of wine, this lightly wooded Chardonnay being one of them. 24 hours on the skins and then fermented and matured in French Oak Barrels for 6 months on the lees with Bâtonnage. The wine was then prepared for bottling.
Pour
From a Burgundy shaped bottle, closed with a screw cap. The label has an etching of the Manor House on it, elegant, classic and simple. In the glass, the wine is a pale gold, brightshining. The wine is also available in a 375ml bottle. The aromas and palate segue on into the other with whiffs and flavours of sweet tropical limes, granadilla white fleshed nectarines and the oak present with its concomitant spice and vanilla. Lovely long aftertaste.
To read more about Zandvliet Wine Estate – CLICK HERE
Fat bastard Chardonnay 2019
I was always mildly surprised at the name of this lovely Chardonnay. When Thierry and Guy, Founders of Fat bastard were looking for wines in France, they were shown a wine and Thierry said to Guy, “this is one fat bastard of a Chardonnay!” The wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks, with, what Oenologists refer to Quercus Fragmentus [oak chips to you and me]. This adds extra layers of flavours to the wine.
Pour
From a Burgundy shaped bottle, closed with a screw cap. The label has an amusing hippo on it which the print is simple and elegant. In the glass, the wine is bright and pale gold in colour. The aromas are of windfall citrus and tropical fruits. The palate is rich and generous, with the oak and its concomitant spice and vanilla supporting the lovely fruit. Nice long vanilla scented aftertaste.
To read more about Fat bastard Wines – CLICK HERE
Van Loveren Chardonnay 2019
From the Retief Family Estate in the glorious Robertson Wine Valley comes this fine expression of an easy drinking and delicious Chardonnay. Gently brushed with oak and a wonderfully refreshing, food friendly wine.
Pour
From a Burgundy shaped bottle, closed with a screw cap. The label is simple and elegant. In the glass, the wine is a crystal clear and a pale wheaten colour. The aromas are of fresh citrus, lemony lime and windfall oranges. There is an undertow of oak on the palate with the lovely citrussy flavoured wine with touches of toasted nuts. A delicious glass on its own, though great with food.
To read more about Van Loveren Family Vineyards – CLICK HERE
Alida Ryder’s Simply Delicious Prawns
Pair
The wines above will be great partners to Alida Ryder’s Simply Delicious Prawns which she created especially for the Fat bastard Chardonnay. Click HERE for her recipe.
Alida Ryder on the cover of one of her books
For more information about the Robertson Wine Valley – CLICK HERE
