2018 DeMorgenzon Reserve Chardonnay

The 2018 Reserve Chardonnay was hand-picked and whole-bunch-pressed, then matured in French barrels, 30% new and the rest used. It has a stunning bouquet of yellow plum, citrus peel and orange blossom aromas that are seamlessly enmeshed with the oak. The palate is very well balanced, displaying orange zest and quince notes on the entry, a killer line of acidity and a very precise and persistent finish that lingers long in the mouth. I am not sure winemaker Carl van der Merwe has ever made a Chardonnay as good as this. 95 points

2018 was a very good vintage for Chardonnay in Stellenbosch, as long as you got your picking dates right. Taut, mineral and refined, with subtle, vanilla-scented oak, racy acidity and layers of citrus and stone fruit, this is one of the best Reserve bottlings I`ve had yet from DeMorgenzon. Drink 2019-25. 96 points