The 10 Best Chardonnay: Prescient Report 2020
By Christian Eedes, 13 October 2020
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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.
The best Chardonnay in South Africa
The top 10 wines overall were 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%
About Chardonnay
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.
Buy the best Chardonnay online
Johannesburg boutique wine retailer Dry Dock Liquor is offering all wines in the Top 10 for sale – buy now.
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
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Hunter | 13 October 2020
Why so many 90+ wines? I sense a serious case of score inflation.
Mike | 13 October 2020
90+ is okay rather than great… Looking at Winemag rating defintitions, one’s inclined to think that things only start getting seriously good at 93+
Kwispedoor | 13 October 2020
From what I can see, the Lammershoek scored about 7 points lower than the next lowest scoring wine. I have not tasted this wine, but it’s made from the oldest Chardonnay vineyard in the country (albeit in the Swartland – if it was used in the Roulette Blanc previously, it certainly worked a charm there). What is it that put the judges off this wine?
Christian Eedes | 13 October 2020
Hi Kwispedoor, The wine showed severe oxidation. Both sample bottles were opened.
Ashley Westaway | 13 October 2020
Surprisingly low scores for Johan’s Chards… Having tasted a lot of SA chard, two of the very few that I religiously buy and cellar are his Walker Bay and Klipkop. They’re both outstanding wines that age very well.
Matthew Ferrandi | 13 October 2020
Agreed Ashley. The Walker Bay I find to be a baby Hamilton Russell in all the right ways. And the Klipkop a bit fuller and richer. But both such purity and focus.