Highlights: De Wetshof Bon Vallon Chardonnay 2023
Website: https://dewetshof.com/
De Wetshof, a winery in Robertson, are one of the unsung heroes of South African wine. They are Chardonnay specialists, and proprietor Danie De Wet was one of a group of winegrowers who smuggled good quality Chardonnay vine material into the country in the 1980s: it was the only way they could get it.
De Wetshof Bon Vallon Chardonnay 2023 Robertson, South Africa
13.5% alcohol. From rocky soils with quite a bit of calcium carbonate content. No oak here: it’s matured on its lees for 6 months, but it’s remarkably complex and intense. This is a really nicely focused Chardonnay showing a core of bright citrus fruit supported by keen acidity. There’s just a hint of toastiness and spice, with the core of the wine being the bright lemon, lime, mandarin and grapefruit characters. It’s concentrated, taut and mineral. This will age. At £15 in the UK, this is really good value for money, too (in South Africa this retails at around 190 Rand, which is the equivalent of about £8). 94/100
