Nederburg Manor House, Paarl – Circa 1800

ONE OF the Top 10, opined the judges at Chardonnay du Monde 2023 in France, gold medallist at Mundus Vini 2023 in Germany, also gold medallist at the Global Chardonnay Masters 2022, UK. No other South African Chardonnay has been welcomed with as many such glowing reviews from international panels of experts in recent months. More premium than Nederburg’s ‘Winemasters’ Chardonnay that sells for less than R100 a bottle, ‘The Manor House’ from ‘the queen’ of grapes is exceptionally good value at under R150pb – and, at the time of writing, not yet sold out at the cellar in Paarl.

NEDERBURG MANOR HOUSE CHARDONNAY 2021
WO Western Cape: grapes from three sites in Stellenbosch and a fourth in Philadelphia. 100% Chardonnay, hand-harvested, with fruit from the four vineyard blocks handled separately in the cellar. Nine months in 300L and 500L oak barrels, new and older wood. The winemaking process started with approximately four times the volume required and involving rigorous barrel selection before final blending and bottling under screwcap.
Alc 14 | RS 2.5 | TA 6.5 | pH 3.4
Global Chardonnay Masters Tasting Notes: With a pale lemon-yellow hue, the wine exhibits golden apple, hazelnut and a gentle buttercream accent. Lively acidity supports the mid-weight, rounded and well-integrated palate, which finishes with attractive nutmeg spice from judicious use of wood. A hint of rose petal…  The wine will support fish, crustaceans, poultry – or a gently roasted poussin with herbes de Provence and fresh lemon slices. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)
Nederburg Tasting Notes: Fresh citrus notes, opening up to tropical fruit aromas and just a hint of oak spice… Lovely balance between fruit and acid. The wood adds to the fullness without dominating the wine. Lingering finish. Delicious with fresh fish and seafood, poultry or veal dishes, creamy pastas. (Winemaker Pieter Badenhorst)
R135pb ex-cellar, Paarl