2017 Storm Chardonnay Vrede (Hemel-en-Aarde)

The 2017 Vrede Chardonnay was basket-pressed and 100% destemmed and underwent full malolactic in 25% new barrels, where it aged for eight months. It has an attractive bouquet of lemon curd, popcorn and almond, perhaps not quite conveying the same level of mineralité as the finest Chardonnays from Hemel-en-Aarde. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, not complex, but pure, offering candied orange peel and even a touch of red cherry toward the sweet, playful finish. Very fine. 90 points