Cavalli Chardonnay 2024

Rianie Strydom, formerly of Haskell Vineyards where she crafted the accomplished Anvil Chardonnay, took over as winemaker at Stellenbosch property Cavalli in August 2023. The 2022 vintage of the property’s Chardonnay, made before her arrival, caught the eye when it placed in the Top 10 of our 2023 category report with a rating of 92. The 2024, with Strydom fully in charge, is even more impressive.

Winemaking was characteristically exacting: three separate pickings, each inoculated with a different yeast strain, followed by nine months of maturation in 300-litre barrels, 30% new oak.

The nose is enticing – pear, white peach and citrus are to the fore, with subtle blossom, struck-match reduction and vanilla also in evidence. The palate, meanwhile, displays excellent fruit concentration and punchy acidity. Well balanced, it’s not too slight nor overly thick textured. Alcohol is 13.34%. Outstanding quality relative to price at R260 a bottle.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

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