Glenelly Estate
Estate Reserve Stellenbosch Chardonnay
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, Western Cape, South Africa
Floral, toast nose.
Medium bodied. Good bit of acidity.
Citrus, apple, mineral, some oak.
Floral, toast nose.
Medium bodied. Good bit of acidity.
Citrus, apple, mineral, some oak.
Wow. Sweet spicy ginger, chamomile, black tea, rose/lychee, diacetyl (butter), lemon, apple. Med body and med+ acidity. I tasted this blind initially and was struggling between a super manipulated gewurztraminer (unlikely) or a viognier. The acid was too high for Gewurztraminer and the rose/lychee & chamomile notes (which I think typify Gewurzt) not intense enough. This wasn’t exactly in line with Viogniers I’ve had either but I haven’t had enough to be sure and some characteristics (rose/lychee, spicy ginger, diacetyl and structure) reminded me of an oaked Vigonier picked at the perfect time (when it has good acidity and flavor). I absolutely did not expect it to be a Chardonnay! Sort of wondering if these characteristics are typical for South African (or Stellenbosch) Chardonnays. Very complex. Excellent wine.
Wow. Sweet spicy ginger, chamomile, black tea, rose/lychee, diacetyl (butter), lemon, apple. Med body and med+ acidity. I tasted this blind initially and was struggling between a super manipulated gewurztraminer (unlikely) or a viognier. The acid was too high for Gewurztraminer and the rose/lychee & chamomile notes (which I think typify Gewurzt) not intense enough. This wasn’t exactly in line with Viogniers I’ve had either but I haven’t had enough to be sure and some characteristics (rose/lychee, spicy ginger, diacetyl and structure) reminded me of an oaked Vigonier picked at the perfect time (when it has good acidity and flavor). I absolutely did not expect it to be a Chardonnay! Sort of wondering if these characteristics are typical for South African (or Stellenbosch) Chardonnays. Very complex. Excellent wine.
Nov 12th, 2023