This year’s Chardonnay Report sponsored by multinational financial services company Prescient, attracted 80 entries and these were tasted blind (labels out of sight) by a three-person panel, scoring done according to the 100-point quality scale. The Top 10 is as follows:
95
Vriesenhof 2021
94
Blaauwklippen 2022
Delaire Graff Terraced Block 2022
Lothian of Elgin 2021
Oak Valley Groenlandberg 2022
Paul Cluver Village 2022
93
Bellingham Homestead 2021
Delaire Graff Banghoek Reserve 2022
Journey's End V1 2022
92
Cavalli Reserve 2022
“The best examples show depth of fruit, intricacy of flavour and drive,” says Christian Eedes, editor of Winemag.co.za and panel chairman. “It’s amazing to think that Chardonnay was only really established here in the 1980s after producers were compelled to smuggle it into the country and now it’s South Africa’s seventh most planted variety.”
To read the report in full, including key findings, tasting notes for the top wines and scores on the 100-point quality scale for all wines entered, visit Winemag.co.za.
Wines are available for online purchase via boutique wine retailers Dry Dock Liquors and Wine Village.