Vergelegen Reserve Chardonnay 2018

The 2015 Chardonnay Reserve comes from two vineyards planted from virus-free Burgundy clones, pressed for one week, stirred twice daily, racked into barrel where it stays for 12 months (35% new), plus 12 months in bottle. It has a voluminous, generous bouquet with light tropical tones, a brush of clear honey mixed with white chocolate and almond. The palate is well balanced with a lightly honeyed opening in terms of texture (not taste), a fine bead of acidity, harmonious with hints of orange zest and quince towards the finish. Perhaps you could argue that this is an obvious Chardonnay, but a delicious one, too.

Custard and apple pie aromas lead the charge in the bouquet of this decadent wine, accented by notes of roasted nuts and orange essence. The mouthfeel is full and creamy, with just enough acidity to lift the rich fruit, honey and sweet-spice flavors. There's a beautiful evolution to the close, from lifted citrus to ripe fruit and finally sweet spice. Drink now–2019.

May/June '15 By Stephen Tanzer. - Full straw-yellow. Explosive aromas of nectarine, lime, flowers and spices, plus a subtle hazelnutty leesy nuance. Unctuous and saline yet brisk, offering a seamless texture and serious underlying structure. A touch of sweetness (2.8 g/l) is nicely countered by brisk, lively acidity. This very long, classic Chardonnay really exploded with aeration. Has the phenolic spine to support a slow evolution in bottle.