Lock, stock and wine barrel: Vriesenhof Chardonnay
The fact that the wine is so different from previous vintages makes it a worthwhile addition on your list.
Picture: iStock
Timeless chardonnay. That’s how Vriesenhof Vineyard explain their new Unwooded Chardonnay 2018. And they’re not wrong!
Chardonnay has always been a wine that is familiar and fresh. But here, winemaker Nicky Claasens shows what can be done when everything changes.
Claasens says the drought conditions in parts of the Western Cape meant that the grape composition was different to previous years.
“However, the fruit was beautiful and compact. Although it was a difficult vintage, the Unwooded Chardonnay 2018 turned out to be a wine which is rich in character and style.”
Vriesenhof Unwooded Chardonnay 2018 has a bold citrus on the nose, with fresh and fruity flavours of pear, lemon and peach. It’s an ultra enjoyable wine thanks to zesty punches and great minerality at the end.
If you want to enjoy the last bit of warmth, this is a great option for chardonnay lovers that enjoy it unoaked. The wine is also remarkably versatile, holding its own against other flavours when paired with ingredients.
The fact that the wine is so different from previous vintages makes it a worthwhile addition on your list.
Claasens’ favourite varietal to work with is chardonnay. “It is forgiving and malleable, in ways that allow for subtle variations between vintages and style. I also find it to be one of the most expressive varietals to work with, because it clearly shows its terroir”.
Expect to pick up this lively wine for R100.
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