THE GRAPES for négociant Neil Ellis's Whitehall Chardonnay don't come from the same vineyard that was used originally, but the Elgin beauty is as delightful as ever – and apparently it gets better with time in the bottle. Scored 94/100 in Winemag's 2024 Report on South African Chardonnay, the 2022 vintage went on to be judged Best Overall and rated 96 points in Winemag's 2025 Report involving the assessment of 76 wines from 56 producers. That after glowing reviews at the International Wine Challenge and the Decanter World Wine Awards.
Here's what the tasting panels had to say about it:
2025 Winemag Report (SA): Struck-match reduction, flowers, citrus, green apple as well as hints of vanilla and nuttiness on the nose. The palate is taught and poised, the dense, pure fruit balanced by vibrant acidity. Long and pithy on the finish. 96/100.
2025 International Wine Challenge (UK): Fresh with acidity. Hints of tangerine, stony spice, lemon balm. Great length. Intense while being smooth. 95/100.
2024 Decanter World Wine Awards (UK): Refined and elegant with lime, citrus and green apple countered by the broad, creamy breadth and well-knitted oak. Beautifully long and flinty. 95/100.
Visitors to the Neil Ellis cellar on the Stellenbosch side of the Helshoogte Pass will find a revamped wine-tasting venue and a restaurant that opened in October '25 following Van Loveren's 2024 investment in the business. Something for everyone on the menu and a spacious deck with a view of the Simonsberg.
NEIL ELLIS WHITEHALL CHARDONNAY 2022
WO Elgin. Trellised vineyards with access to supplementary irrigation on south-facing slopes where the soil comprises mainly white sandstone and quartz with clay below. Harvest began later than usual in early March and continued over a period of three weeks. Whole-bunch fermentation in 228L fine-grained French oak barrels – 34% new and the rest second- and third-fill – where the wine spent nine months. 25% went through malolactic fermentation. Bottled in January 2023 – sealed with natural cork. Total production: 18 290 bottles. Maturation potential: 10 years after vintage.
Alc 13.0 | RS 2.0 | TA 6.4 | pH 3.1
From Winemaker Warren Ellis's Tasting Notes: Tightly structured palate and bouquet, which brings together aromas of citrus, acacia blossoms and flinty mineral aromatics. Remarkable concentration and balance.
Producer's Food Pairing Suggestions: Salmon, smoked duck, shellfish.
R360pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch.
