Another unwooded standout! Bon Courage Chardonnay shines in France
UNWOODED, unoaked, sans barrique… South African Chardonnay that hasn’t spent any time in a barrel is hardly a new phenomenon, but the numbers are growing and the quality is on the rise. It’s a great option for wine lovers who can’t stomach wooded whites, some seek it out because it presents an opportunity to enjoy the varietal character in its purist form, and of course, without the cost of imported vats included among the overheads, the value proposition is considerable.
At the 2017 edition of Chardonnay du Monde in Burgundy, France, Robertson’s Bon Courage Estate followed up the success of their 2015 Unwooded Chardonnay last year with a gold medal for the 2016 vintage this time round. There were 706 wines from 38 countries on the tasting bench. 50% of the judges were French, the balance from around the world, and after three days of deliberation they awarded 55 gold medals and 180 silvers – Bon Courage ranking among the Top 10 gold medallists. (All of the gold medallists from the Cape are given below, and for more about the competition see here).
TOP-RATED UNWOODED CHARDONNAYS IN 2016, 2017
Bon Courage Unwooded Chardonnay 2015 of Robertson – R45
Bon Courage Unwooded Chardonnay 2016 of Robertson – R48
Chamonix Unoaked Chardonnay 2016 of Franschhoek – R105
Franschhoek Cellar Our Town Hall Unoaked Chardonnay 2015 – R55
Glen Carlou Unwooded Chardonnay 2015 of Simonsberg-Paarl – R86
Kleine Zalze Cellar Selection Unwooded Chardonnay 2015 of Stellenbosch – R52
Middelvlei Unoaked Chardonnay 2015 of Devon Valley, Stellenbosch – R70
Rustenberg Unwooded Chardonnay 2015 of Simonsberg-Stellenbosch – R80
The Dryland Collection Unwooded Chardonnay 2015 (Perdeberg) of Paarl – R81
For details of just how well these wines were rated and by which panel of judges, see here
GOLD MEDAL WINNERS: CHARDONNAY DU MONDE 2017
Bon Courage Unwooded Chardonnay 2016 of Robertson – R48
Douglas Green Chardonnay 2016 (DGB) of Wellington – R55
Survivor Wild Yeast Chardonnay 2016 (Overhex) of Swartland/Worcester – R150
Weltevrede Place of Rocks Chardonnay 2016 of Bonnievale – R145
