Cape of Good Hope Serruria Chardonnay 2024
Cape of Good Hope Serruria Chardonnay 2024
Manufacturer: Cape of Good Hope
A spicy and complex wine with a firm structure and distinct minerality. The nose is dominated by a blend of ripe nectarine and limestone, complemented by a hint of vanilla biscuit and orange peel. This aromatic profile flows seamlessly onto the palate, initially supported by vibrant acidity and lively notes of lime and citrus. The wine is highly sophisticated, displaying clear traces of its cool-climate origin and meticulous oak maturation. A broader, creamy nuttiness from aging on the lees adds depth and restraint without any single element dominating. The harmonious, lingering finish creates a complex experience that invites the next sip.
2024 / 0.75l / 13,5% / Olifants River Valley - South Africa
About the winery
In 2006, Johann Rupert (owner of the L'Ormarins and Anthony Rupert winery) started a search for all vineyards in South Africa over 35 years old. The South African wine industry has traditionally depended on yields, which meant that the lower yields of older vineyards forced their removal. What was left behind were quite spectacular pockets of vines, tended by people who maintained them either out of sentiment or prudence.
Wine from old vines guarantees intensity, structure and a real sense of place. Their preservation is an act of social responsibility towards South African wine and the people who have invested in them despite adversity. Johann later became the patron of the Old Vines project, which brings together under one umbrella the producers of wines specifically from old vineyards.
Terroir
The Olifants River Valley is the northernmost wine region in South Africa's Western Cape and is named after the elephants that roamed the area in the 18th century. It stretches for 145 kilometres between Lutzville in the north and Citrusdal Valley in the south. Vines were first planted in the area in the 1700s after explorers and adventurers saw the land's potential for agriculture.
Areas with cooler climates closer to the coast are suitable for the production of herbaceous white wines such as Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc, while estates further inland and high in the mountains are suitable for various varieties of red wine such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage and Shiraz. The region's varied topography creates a range of mesoclimatic conditions, all of which are influenced by the cool winds blowing in from the nearby Atlantic Ocean. This is particularly important in the north (around Vredendal), where the nearby Namaqualand desert creates a dry and hot climate.
Recommended wine pairings
Cape of Good Hope Serruria Chardonnay 2024