Migliarina Bush Vine Chardonnay 2022

What to expect from the newly formed Chardonnay Association of South Africa? Well, if wasn’t for the launch function of this new body held at the end of last year, the Migliarina Bush Vine Chardonnay 2022 might not have been encountered. A former sommelier, Carsten Migliarina has made wine under his own label since 2002 but tends to keep a low profile.

His Bush Vine Chardonnay 2022 is very much in line with his usual aesthetic which is to say restrained. The grapes are sourced from Stellenbosch, though the exact vineyard location remains undisclosed to prevent excessive competition for what is a scarce resource. Winemaking meanwhile involved spontaneous fermentation in barrel before 14 months of maturation.

Beguiling aromatics of pear, peach, citrus, a hint of oatmeal and some flinty reduction precede a palate that shows clean fruit and fresh acidity before a dry finish (alc: 13%). A wine with an elegant lucidity about it. Price: R340 a bottle.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

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