Badbay Chardonnay 2023

Badbay. Now there’s a name to conjure with. Named after Badbea (“Badbay”), a Scottish clearance village where the Gunn clan sought refuge in the late 1700s, the label reflects a legacy continued by descendant Andrew Gunn, who founded Iona in Elgin centuries later.

A new wine now emerges named Badbay, classified “Cape South Coast”, from the Iona cellar – Gunn adamant that he doesn’t want to develop second label wines under the parent moniker. While Iona’s flagship Chardonnays come from mature vines on the Elgin Highlands property, younger vineyards in the Elgin Valley now supply fruit for Badbay. A recent investment in Villiersdorp Winery, also within the regional designation, opens the door to further growth for this emerging label.

Winemaking involved spontaneous fermentation and maturation lasting 11 months in older 228- and 300-litre barrels, 10% going through MLF. On the nose, there’s a hint of flinty reduction before pear, peach and lemon, while the palate possesses a dense core of fruit and racy acidity before a dry, slightly salty finish (alc: 12.5%). Pure, poised and quite delicious. Price: R198 a bottle.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

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