ALMOST sold out on the farm at the time of writing, the 2016 vintage of Glenelly Estate Reserve Chardonnay has proved very popular among aficionados around the world: gold medals at the Trophy Wine Show in South Africa, the Decanter World Wine Awards (UK) as well as at the Six Nations Wine Challenge in Australia. Based on the south-western foothills of the Simonsberg in Stellenbosch, the cellar has come up with a beauty that obviously saw the inside of a barrel yet is lightly wooded, using large-format barrels, and just 13% Alc – serious stuff with complexity, interest value and a French connection.

Owner May de Lencquesaing (93) of Bordeaux, grandsons Nicolas Bureau and Arthur de Lencquesaing, cellarmaster Luke O’Cuinneagain and the rest of the team including French chef Christophe Dehosse who heads up the bistro below the tasting room and glass museum, have stepped up a gear in recent years. The transformation from orchards to vineyards that began in 2003 is almost forgotten and the estate is now among South Africa’s premier wine producers, apparently on track to join the very best before too long.

Glenelly Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2016
WO Stellenbosch. Grapes whole-bunch pressed and naturally fermented (no cultivated yeast) in new and second-fill, lightly-toasted 500L French oak barrels. Extended lees contact for 11 months without battonage (no stirring).
Alc 13.1 | RS 1.6 | TA 6.1 | pH 3.4
From the Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: The nose has tones of quince, citrus peel, lime and butterscotch with hints of pear drop. The palate is lush. Citrus and mineral flavours lead the way to a long, round, textured finish.
Cellaring Advice: can drink now but should keep until 2022 and beyond.
Pairing Recommendations: buttery chicken, roast pork belly, pan-fried fish, salmon, shellfish.
R230pb at the cellar door.