Leeu Passant Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2022

Region and Vineyards

Stellenbosch, a historic cornerstone of South African viticulture, provides a unique matrix of terroirs, among which the Helderberg stands out. Located near False Bay, the Helderberg slopes are famed for their maritime influence and diverse soils. The vineyard for the 2022 Leeu Passant Chardonnay is planted at 400 metres above sea level, benefiting from consistent ocean breezes that moderate temperatures throughout the growing season. These cool conditions ensure a long ripening period, which promotes vibrant acidity and complex flavour development.

The soils here are gravelly and well-draining, forcing the roots to dig deep, which contributes to the wine’s structure and mineral backbone. This combination of high altitude and coastal proximity yields Chardonnay fruit with remarkable aromatic lift and tension. The site’s exposure and altitude are pivotal in crafting a wine that speaks clearly of place, with precision and finesse as hallmarks of its character.

Winemaking

The 2022 vintage is composed of 100% Chardonnay, hand-harvested in mid-March during cool morning hours to preserve natural acidity. Yields were deliberately kept low—about 5 tons per hectare—resulting in a concentrated base must of approximately 34 hectolitres per hectare.

Upon arrival at the cellar, grapes were gently whole-bunch pressed to extract only the finest juice. The must was allowed to settle overnight before being racked to barrel, where it underwent spontaneous fermentation, followed by natural malolactic fermentation. This unhurried, wild-yeast process lasted just over 60 days, ensuring complexity and balance.

Aged for a total of 23 months, the wine spent its first year in tight grain 225L French oak barrels, one-third of which were new. After racking and blending, it matured for an additional 11 months in the same barrels, enhancing its texture and integrating the oak seamlessly without overshadowing the fruit.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Pale gold with green hues, reflecting its cool-climate origin.
• Aroma: Crushed lime, yellow grapefruit, and hints of tangerine peel, intertwined with delicate notes of struck flint and a touch of sea spray.
• Palate: A vibrant entry of citrus and white pear evolves into a rounded mid-palate with subtle salinity, crystalline acidity, and a long, textured finish featuring a chalky grip and gentle creaminess.

Did you know?

Leeu Passant is the Franschhoek-based project of Andrea and Chris Mullineux, among South Africa’s most celebrated winemakers. Their Leeu Passant range is crafted to showcase exceptional Cape heritage vineyard sites with Burgundian precision and reverence for place. The Stellenbosch Chardonnay is a contemporary South African interpretation of great white Burgundy, yet distinctly expressive of its Helderberg origins.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Grilled lobster with lemon butter – complements the wine's saline minerality and citrus core.
• Roast chicken with tarragon and cream sauce – matches the richness and layered texture.
• Pan-seared scallops with cauliflower purée – echoes the wine’s elegance and enhances its subtle nuttiness.
• Butternut squash risotto with sage – a vegetarian pairing that resonates with the wine’s roundness and spice.

History of Leeu Passant

Leeu Passant was born from the collaboration between acclaimed winemakers Andrea and Chris Mullineux and Leeu Collection, the luxury hospitality group founded by Indian entrepreneur Analjit Singh. While the Mullineuxs had already earned global recognition for their Swartland wines under Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines, they created Leeu Passant to explore South Africa's historic vineyards beyond the Swartland, with a particular focus on Stellenbosch.

The name "Leeu Passant," meaning “walking lion” in Dutch, evokes both the heritage of the Cape wine lands and the aspiration to produce world-class wines with gravitas and elegance. The winery is situated on the Leeu Estates in Franschhoek, where meticulous viticulture, minimalist winemaking, and classical inspiration converge.

Andrea Mullineux, a trained viticulturist and oenologist from the US, leads the cellar with scientific precision and intuitive artistry. Chris Mullineux, South African by birth, complements her with strategic and stylistic clarity, making them one of the country’s most influential wine duos. Their combined expertise is key to Leeu Passant’s philosophy: single-vineyard expressions and heritage blends that reflect site, season, and soil.

Region and Vineyards

While Leeu Passant’s cellar is based in Franschhoek, the heart of its viticulture lies in Stellenbosch, particularly the Helderberg Mountain, a cooler subregion prized for its elevation, maritime influence, and soil diversity. Their Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards are planted on high-altitude, gravelly or sandstone slopes, with deep roots and naturally low yields. These terroirs ensure fruit with freshness, purity, and structure.

In parallel, Leeu Passant sources old-vine fruit from historically significant vineyards across the Western Cape, including Wellington and Franschhoek, to craft wines such as their dry cinsault-based blend, inspired by Cape reds of the 20th century. These sites are carefully selected for their heritage, age, and authenticity, and are farmed sustainably.

The team’s viticultural philosophy emphasizes minimal intervention, cover cropping, and soil health, with the goal of expressing the nuances of each parcel with utmost clarity.

Wine Range of Leeu Passant

Leeu Passant produces precision-crafted, terroir-expressive wines. The range includes:

• Leeu Passant Stellenbosch Chardonnay: Grown on the cool Helderberg slopes, it combines salinity, tension, and Burgundian elegance.
• Leeu Passant Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon: A structured, age-worthy red showing classic cassis, herbal lift, and refined tannins.
• Leeu Passant Dry Red Wine: A Cape heritage blend inspired by early 20th-century field blends, often featuring cinsault, cabernet sauvignon, and syrah.
• Single-vineyard releases: Occasionally produced from exceptional old vines or standout parcels in Stellenbosch, Wellington, or Franschhoek.

Each wine is vinified with native yeasts, restrained oak use, and extended élevage, delivering depth without excess, and a clear sense of place.

Did you know?

Leeu Passant’s inspiration lies partly in the rediscovery of historic South African winemaking traditions, notably the great dry reds of the 1950s and 1960s. Their Dry Red Wine is modeled on these blends, which were once compared favorably to First Growth Bordeaux in international tastings.