This wine is everything I won’t be after I’ve finished it: perfectly balanced, subtle and displaying depth and complexity. Sumaridge is high on my lists of wine farms to revisit when the covid-19 lockdown ends.
Groot Constantia Chardonnay 2016
Less oaky than previous incarnations, or at least, less oaky than I recall from my hazy memories. Went beautifully with roast chicken and a Nicolas Cage movie.
De Wetshof “The Site” Chardonnay 2015
Never judge a book by its cover. Walked into this winery a few years back with my kids and friends. The guy serving the wine said we “might be more comfortable outside”. Usually this means “we’d be more comfortable if you were all outside”. He appeared outside shortly afterwards, took us through the amazing wines […]
Rhebokskloof Chardonnay 2016
Like drinking liquid gold, but without the excruciating pain that drinking molten gold would entail. I’m not sure liquid gold tastes of citrus and nuts either. I’m also fairly sure I’d dance better after a bottle of this than with 750ml of slowly solidifying gold settling in my stomach. Like drinking a very nice Chardonnay…
Delheim Sur Lie Chardonnay 2014
Drinking this wine is like walking into a room full of intellectuals discussing something way above your station. You know you’re surrounded by greatness but you have no way of verbalizing what that greatness is.
Oak Valley Beneath The Clouds Chardonnay 2017
Not sure why Oak Valley have dropped their old school labels for a catchy name and an painting of some sort of bok? Leave the animals to David Attenborough and make wine that looks old and stuffy. Bah humbug etc. My mood wasn’t helped by the fact that this was too young to be drinking […]
Tokara Chardonnay 2015
I bought this for my wife as she loves an oaky Chardonnay and I remembered this being one (insert joke about wife needing more wood here). A quick sniff promises a lot but there’s a slightly sour acidic aftertaste that lets the side down.
La Motte Chardonnay 2015
Still as good as ever. Sharper edges than your average South African Chardonnay (and the England bowling attack that are currently being flayed by the West Indies). Leaves your mouth feeling like you just face planted into a sand dune, but in a… er… good way. Only gets an 8 this time, but bear in […]
Wine Folk Chardonnay 2014
Another closing time panic buy (see previous entry). A snip at R20, which, even against a Brexit ruined GBP, is cheaper than an English newspaper and less likely to depress you (doesn’t have a crossword though). Slightly tart, but still very drinkable. Wouldn’t pay more than R30 a bottle, but considering that’s 50% more than […]
