LOCATED on Route 62 east of Robertson in the Breede River Valley, the Rietvallei Estate has been in the Burger family for over 150 years – established in 1864, farming grapes for over 100 years and bottling wine since 1975. As a wine farm, it was initially renowned for top Muscadel, with the portfolio gradually expanding to include a number of different ranges. The Rietvallei 1908 Red Muscadel in the Burgers’ Heritage Collection commemorates a vineyard planted over 100 years ago and this sweet dessert remains highly recommended by the critics. However, the dry whites and reds in the collection have also been impressive and, under the leadership of proprietor-cellarmaster Kobus Burger, the flagship JMB wines particularly so – first the Cabernet Franc and now the Chardonnay.

At the 2020 edition of the international Chardonnay du Monde hosted in Burgundy, France, Rietvallei JMB Chardonnay 2019 was ranked among the Top 10 gold medallists – the best rating of a South African wine in a competition that attracted 658 entries from producers in 37 countries around the world. The laureates included 58 gold and 160 silver medallists, with other wines among the Top 10 made in Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, Spain and the USA. Full results here.

At the time of writing, the 2019 JMB Chardonnay hadn’t yet come onto the market, with the estate still selling the 2018 vintage, but no doubt the scheduled release date in August will be brought forward somewhat, given the mounting pressure on management to buckle. Clearly already really good to drink, the wine should reward cellaring, developing with interest. According to Burger: “Lots of work in the vineyard and minimal interference in the cellar allows this wine to express its terroir to the fullest!”

RIETVALLEI JMB CHARDONNAY 2019
WO Robertson. Single Vineyard, 15-year-old vines, trellised, drip irrigation. Hand-picked grapes. Free-run juice only. Natural fermentation (with wild yeast) in 300L French oak barrels and matured on the lees for eight months.
Alc 14.3 | RS 3.0 | TA 6.5 | pH 3.2
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: Full-bodied… Complex nose rich in citrus aromas, complemented by some spicy, toasted oak notes. The palate is rich and creamy, with a mixture of ripe orange, lemon and and lime flavours. Oak well integrated. Lingering finish.
Serving Suggestion: Pair with roasted chicken, grilled duck or any creamy poulty or fish dishes. Serve chilled: 7° to 10°C.
R225pb ex-cellar.