Lothian Vineyards Chardonnay 2019

Elgin, South Africa

Decanter 91 points! Tim Atkin 93 points!

Lothian Vineyards Vineyard Selection Chardonnay is a beautiful white wine gem from Elgin, just 45 miles southeast of Cape Town. In its opulent setting on the banks of the Palmiet River and a private lake in the Elgin Valley, Lothian Vineyards shines in a class of its own. It is situated in the Kogelberg, the world’s richest and most diverse biosphere with more than 1800 plant species, of which over 70 are found nowhere else on the planet. Years of searching for the perfect location finally revealed Elgin’s cool-climate terroir as an elegant setting for growing grapes to produce exceptional Chardonnay.

“The entry is surprisingly bracing. The fine acidic backbone that gives this wine a lively tension asserts itself immediately. Flavours of yellow citrus, pineapple and nectarines come to the fore. Wood is noted but it is very much in the background. It provides a fragrant base and some texture to the mid palate. This wine has good length and all the while the flavours change in the mouth, the acid stands guard ensuring a very clean finish.”—Lothian Vineyards

Lothian Vineyards Chardonnay would pair with roast chicken, mushroom risotto or a slice of Camembert.