INCREDIBLE? First a double gold medal at the Michelangelo awards in South Africa and now gold at Chardonnay du Monde in Burgundy, France. At around R56 a bottle, the 2017 Douglas Green Chardonnay is the latest in a string of vintages that have had wine cognoscente doing a double take – the 2016 having also won gold in France, the 2015 excelling in the local Ultra Value Challenge and, before that, the 2011 and 2008 vintages collecting gold at Michelangelo. Amazing, given the modest credentials of the brand.

Other top SA performers at the 2018 edition of Chardonnay du Monde were Boschendal, showing their flagship bubbly, and Kleine Zalze with a wine from their Vineyard Selection. The silver medallists included seven wines from the Cape.

A total of 679 Chardonnays of one sort or another from 39 countries were reviewed by numerous judges from around the world. France was the most successful nation with seven wines placed among the Top 10 overall. Full results here. SA highlights below:

GOLD MEDALLISTS

Boschendal Jean Le Long Prestige Cuvée Blanc de Blancs 2008 (MCC)
Franschhoek Cellar, R950 pb

Douglas Green Chardonnay 2017
Wellington Cellar, R56 pb (approx retail)

Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Chardonnay 2017
Stellenbosch Cellar, R101 pb

SILVER MEDALLISTS

Bon Courage Le Terroir Chardonnay 2016
Robertson Cellar, R210 pb

Constitution Road Chardonnay 2016 (Robertson Winery)
Robertson Cellar, R117 pb

De Wetshof Bon Vallon Chardonnay 2017
Robertson Cellar, R122 pb

Franschhoek Cellar Our Town Hall Unoaked Chardonnay 2017
Franschhoek Cellar, R60 pb

GlenWood Vigneron’s Selection Chardonnay 2016
Franschhoek Cellar, R260 pb

Lanzerac Chardonnay 2016
Jonkershoek Cellar, Stellenbosch, R125 pb

Rietvallei JMB Chardonnay 2017
Robertson Cellar, R200 pb