CAPE OF GOOD HOPE SERRURIA CHARDONNAY 2019

The wine announces with an eye catching vigorous bubble. Typical yeast and cracker biscuit notes on the nose with lively citrus rind and a briny, maritime nuance is also apparent. The palate succeeds in being both refreshingly vibrant and simultaneously dry. Bright effervescence with creamy lees richness from its time in the bottle, with distinct brioche and sourdough toast notes vying with lively grapefruit and citrus flavours. Elegant, restrained, taut and thrilling, it’s beautifully poised yet equally flamboyant and exuberant! A gentle nutty note lingers on the long tail.

Instant appeal of citrus, stonefruit and granadilla aromas. That continues in the mouth with vivacious lemon and grapefruit flavours to go with the more tropical nectarine and granadilla. Refreshing and juicy with bright acidity, the fruit counters that well and there’s lovely body and mouthfeel to the wine. Rounded, rewarding and long lived.

Sneeuwkrans Pinot noir presents with a perfumed floral nose, cherry blossom, ripe plum and raspberry aromatics. In typical Pinot Noir character, it displays approachability with complexity and subtle nuance, while remaining succulent and generous. There is a guile and mystery to this wine. Broad and laidback on entry, it offers bright red fruits but then also subtler, earthy, deep forest floor intensity. Silky, refined and pliable, with a powerful core and backbone from integrated oak. Poised and long rewarding.

Bold plum, hedgerow fruit with a tempting dried lavender perfume on the nose. The wine confidently stalks onto the palate. Sleek yet succulent with rich spicy forest floor and the same hedgerow notes from the nose. A brush of herbs and fynbos adds interest. The wine is structured with a firm core of oak which is supportive rather than prominent or overbearing. Beautifully elegant and poised with lovely harmony all the way to its lingering and smart finish. Drinking well now, it will reward additional patience and careful cellaring.