Reserve Set - Chardonnay

One Grape, Six Terroirs

Chardonnay has taken a remarkable path in the Cape over the last twenty years: away from opulent oak and towards precision, freshness and terroir. This Reserve Set showcases six interpretations of the variety from the country's finest addresses, from the cool Elgin to the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge and the slopes of the Simonsberg. The cellars could hardly be more different: classic Burgundy barrels, large 400-litre casks, terracotta, amphorae and concrete eggs. A set for discerning connoisseurs who want to compare and understand Chardonnay: one variety, six distinct styles.

The six bottles in the set

• Babylonstoren Chardonnay 2024 From the historic 17th-century Cape Dutch estate, famous for its extensive garden, on the slopes of the Simonsberg. Lemon cream, sponge cake, roasted almonds and vanilla, supported by fresh acidity and a mineral undertone.
• Draaiboek Kinkel Chardonnay 2023 Founded by a group of friends from their university days in Stellenbosch. A single, dry-farmed plot in cool Elgin, bottled unfiltered. Taut, citrus-fresh and mineral, with oak providing structure rather than flavour. The previous vintage was awarded 5 stars in Platter's Guide.
• Warwick The White Lady Chardonnay 2023 From the Warwick family estate on the Simonsberg, from four carefully selected vineyards cooled by sea breezes. Citrus, green apple, white peach, roasted nuts and spices, concentrated and long.
• Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Chardonnay 2023 The house's flagship from Stellenbosch, from vineyards just 10 km from the Atlantic. Aged half in new oak barrels and half in Italian terracotta. Grapefruit, fine minerality, an almost waxy texture and a hint of jasmine on the finish.
• Tesselaarsdal Chardonnay 2023 From Berene Sauls, who founded her own label after 15 years at Hamilton Russell, named after her home village in the Overberg. Cool climate from the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, partly aged in amphorae. Melon, mandarin, linden blossom, silky and elegant.
• Quoin Rock Chardonnay 2020 From the estate in the Knorhoek Valley at the foot of the Simonsberg, with several years of bottle age, the most mature wine in the set. Ripe citrus fruit, orange zest, vanilla and brioche, slightly buttery, with fine minerality and a long lime finish.

At a glance: 6 bottles of 0.75 l, white wine (100% Chardonnay), South Africa, dry. Best served chilled at 8 to 10 degrees.

Vinification

• Babylonstoren Chardonnay 2024: 100% Chardonnay from Malmesbury shale soils. Whole-bunch pressing, fermentation starts in stainless steel, with transfer to 300-litre French oak barrels from the third day (approx. 35% new). 3 to 4 months on the lees with weekly bâtonnage, for a total of around 10 months in barrel. Simonsberg (between Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek).
• Draaiboek Kinkel Chardonnay 2023: 100% Chardonnay from a single dry-farmed plot (southwest-facing, 255 m above sea level, weathered Bokkeveld shale). Hand-picked, gently whole-bunch pressed. Fermented in French barriques (25 to 30% new, depending on the vintage), 10 to 11 months on the fine lees. Unfined and unfiltered. Elgin.
• Warwick The White Lady Chardonnay 2023: 100% Chardonnay from four vineyards. Whole-bunch pressing, natural clarification of the must. Fermented and aged for 11 months in 228-litre Burgundy barrels (25% new), rolled monthly. Lightly filtered. Stellenbosch (Simonsberg).
• Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Chardonnay 2023: 100% Chardonnay from weathered granite and Tukulu soils. Hand-picked plot by plot, partly destemmed with 12 to 18 hours of maceration, partly whole-bunch pressed. Fermented 50% in new 400-litre French oak barrels and 50% in 500-litre terracotta vessels, then 8 months on the lees. Unfined and unfiltered. Stellenbosch.
• Tesselaarsdal Chardonnay 2023: 100% Chardonnay. Partly whole-bunch fermented, 44% aged in amphorae, the rest in used barrels. Vinified by Emul Ross in the Hamilton Russell cellar. Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge.
• Quoin Rock Chardonnay 2020: 100% Chardonnay. Hand-picked, whole-bunch pressed, fermented with cultured yeasts. Regular bâtonnage, 9 months aged in 225-litre French oak barriques (85% new) and in a concrete egg. Cellar master Schalk Opperman. Simonsberg-Stellenbosch.

Pairs with: Scallops, langoustines, pan-fried zander, salmon, chicken in cream sauce, Zürcher Geschnetzeltes, roast veal, mushroom risotto, truffle paste, aged Gruyère and Comté and festive evenings with fish and white meat.