Reyneke Organic Chenin / Chardonnay / 2010
£9.50 13% The Wine Society
Sauvignon, Coastal Only in its maiden vintage, this flavoursome blend of 65% chenin, 23% chardonnay and 12% sauvignon blanc is certified organic. Johan Reyneke is working towards self sufficiency on the property and makes all his own compost and biodynamic preparations on site.
Very full, creamy nose. Very tasty, with some oaky, I think. Nicely textured and long. Good.
Brunia Sauvignon Blanc, Walker Bay 2010
£9.50 13.5% The Wine Society
This herb-scented sauvignon comes from a new producer and cool-climate vineyards in Walker Bay. Far less austere than many South African sauvignons and at a great price.
As the blurb says, it’s herb-scented. Lovely green sauvignon taste. Long, juicy and interesting. Not Marlborough-esque at all. Green, pithy finish. Good.
The Society's Chilean Chardonnay, Limarí 2010
£5.95 14% The Wine Society
This crisp, refreshing chardonnay was made for us by Concha y Toro and their winemakers Marcelo Papa and Ignacio Recabarren. It was aged on its lees to develop good mid palate weight with a small portion, about 10%, fermented and matured in barrels, to contribute a little roundness without masking its bright, crystalline flavour.
Creamy, vanilla nose. Light in the mouth. Price about right.
The Society's Exhibition Limarí Chardonnay 2010
£8.95 14% The Wine Society
Limarí, now reckoned to be a Chilean grand cru for chardonnay, is also the source of our new Exhibition bottling. Compared to the moreish drinkability of the Society wine, this cool, elegant chardonnay, with the barest hint of barrel, expresses the poise and minerality that defines the best wines of the region, and is made with food in mind.
Very perfumed. Very weighty. Sweet, ripe, and a little more than the blurb’s “barest hint” of wood. Good, but you’d need to like oak.
Maycas Quebrada Seca Chardonnay 2008
£20.00 14% The Wine Society
Joining the big guns in this category, and proving that £20 spent in Chile is a gold-plated investment, is one of the country's greatest chardonnays. Northerly Limarí has three magic ingredients: cooling dawn fogs, brilliant afternoon light and very low rainfall, which makes vines dig deep. A Decanter Trophy winner.
Lovely little circles on the gold capsule. Creamy, inviting nose, with a hint of age. Lovely taste. If you’re a white Burgundy nut, give this a go. A very long and classy wine. Vibrant and exciting.