Prescient Chardonnay Report 2020: Top 10

Prescient Chardonnay Report 2020: Top 10

Introduction

This year’s Chardonnay Report convened by Winemag.co.za and sponsored by multinational financial services company Prescient is now out. There were 87 entries from 66 producers and these were tasted blind (labels out of sight) by a three-person panel, scoring done according to the 100-point quality scale.

Top 10

The 10 best wines overall are as follows:

Almenkerk 2018
Price: R240
Wine of Origin: Elgin
Abv: 13.24%

Delaire Graff Summercourt 2019
Price: R185
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Abv: R185

Delaire Graff Terraced Block Reserve 2018
Price: R785
Wine of Origin: Banghoek
Abv: 13.5%

La Vierge Jezebelle 2019
Price: R150
Wine of Origin: Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge
Abv: 13.9%

Meerlust 2019
Price: R265
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Abv: 13%

Oak Valley Groenlandberg 2019
Price: R255
Wine of Origin: Elgin
Abv: 13.49%

Paul Cluver Seven Flags 2018
Price: R799.95
Wine of Origin: Elgin
Abv: 13.15%

 

Stellenbosch Reserve Moederkerk 2019
Price: R135
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Abv: 13.19%

Sutherland 2018
Price: R170
Wine of Origin: Elgin
Abv: 13%

 

Tokara Reserve Collection Stellenbosch 2019
Price: R210
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Abv: 13.8%

Almenkerk, Elgin.

About the category

Chardonnay is widely planted throughout the world but its traditional home is Burgundy in the east of France, and it fares particularly well in the Côte de Beaune and Chablis where it thrives on the predominantly chalky soils.

It’s relatively easy to grow and winemakers love it for how readily it responds to a variety of techniques. As to what constitutes a good example is hard to define clearly, however. It can vary in colour from very pale to pronounced straw-yellow while it can be steely dry to rather rich and full on the palate. Flavours are often subtle and understated and yet beguiling.

What does top Chardonnay go for?

The average price of the Top 10 is R319 a bottle with Stellenbosch Reserve Moederkerk the most affordable at R135 a bottle.

In-depth analysis

To read the report in full, including key findings, tasting notes for the top wines, buyer’s guide and scores on the 100-point quality scale for all wines entered, download the following: Prescient Chardonnay Report 2020