Jordan Wine Estate is the leading contender for the title of this year’s SA Chardonnay Champion. As one of the Top 10 White Wine Cellars in South Africa and one of the country’s Top 20 Cellars Overall, Jordan also fields good Chenin, Sauvignon, Riesling as well red and dessert wines, but it’s with Chardonnay that the winery is most consistent in attracting rave reviews, vintage after vintage. Together with Hamilton Russell, Chamonix, Mulderbosch and The Bergkelder (Fleur du Cap), Jordan has one of the very best Chardonnay track records and is the only cellar with two wines among the Top 10 SA Chardonnays on the basis of awards and ratings both locally and internationally over the past 10 years.

The winery is at the end of a scenic drive through the vineyards and past various other cellars alongside the Stellenboschkloof Road off the M12 in the western reaches of the Stellenbosch district, south of the Bottelary Hills. And their upmarket restaurant venture with top chef George Jardine boasts fine food and panoramic views from the patio overlooking a dam.

“The Jordan philosophy combines the vineyards’ natural assets with innovative management” to create “a profound expression of terroir,” say proprietors Gary and Kathy Jordan. In the cellar: “The barrel-fermented white wines are made according to classic Burgundian methods.”

Together with winemakers Sjaak Nelson and Brendan Butler, the Jordans produce Chardonnays under no fewer than four different labels: the flagship Nine Yards (R225 a bottle ex-cellar) and the CWG Auction Reserve, a selection from the best Nine Yards barrels, the Barrel Fermented Chardonnay (R109) and the Unoaked Chardonnay (R76.50).

Here are just the highlights of how well the leading duo has performed on the tasting bench this year alone, preceded by the producers’ descriptions of the wines:

Jordan Nine Yards Chardonnay

“Butterscotch, spicy cloves, lemon/lime and orange peel, with complex mineral citrus flavours… Long, tropical peach and melon finish” – 2011 vintage

Jordan Barrel Fermented Chardonnay

“Brimming with fruit flavour and elegance… Complex hazelnut and citrus… Perfect with rich seafood and butter sauces, creamy risotto or pasta dishes” – 2010 vintage

For all of the top SA wine ratings over the past two years, click here.