“Colmant’s pan-regional Blanc de Blancs combines Chardonnay components from Bonnievale and the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Racy, stony, chiselled and showing a lot of what the Champenois call “tension”, this is a lower dosage style that will age convincingly in bottle.” – Tim Atkin MW
Composition 100% Chardonnay Drink Date: 2024-30 Alcohol: 12.0% Barrel: 45 to 48 month maturation on the lees Body: Medium Which Glass? Zalto White Wine Decant it? No
"The 2020 Chardonnay Ronco Basso is youthfully backward today, with crushed almonds giving way to pretty hints of young peach and dusty florals. Its silken textures coat the palate in ripe apple and pear complemented by hints of sweet almond. The finish is long, stained with confectionery spice and a gentle tug of minerality. The Ronco Basso impresses with its balance and elegance." - Eric Guido, Vinous
"Taut, linear, focused and appealingly bone dry, this all-Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs uses 16% "perpetual reserve" material dating back to 2006 and partial barrel fermentation of the base wine to create added complexity. Mouth-wateringly tangy and chiselled with salted lemon, biscuit and cashew flavours and thrilling palate length." - Tim Atkin MW
Newton Johnson Family Vineyards Chardonnay 2022, "Blending three different components from both sides of the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, this is a beautifully judged Chardonnay from a South African master of the variety. Voluptuous and textured, yet focused and energetic at the same time, it has struck match top notes, 22% new oak, citrus and vanilla spice flavours and a pithy, salty finish." - Tim Atkin MW