Chardonnay, Ridge, Hemel en Aarde, 2025
Paler than the Vrede in pure lifted style; slender and very fine with lemony crisp acids, vital and less white fruited in 2025, more citrus-driven with fine lees, smoke and nuts. A beautiful Chardonnay with a coastal impression. Ridge Chardonnay comes from a high-density vineyard on a cool, eastern slope on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge with low-vigour, stony, clay-rich Bokkeveld shale soil. Ageing took place in French barrique 25% new and 10-15% in clay amphora, over 11 months. Since 2022, under agglomerate cork.
critic reviews
The 2025 Chardonnay Ridge comes from vines planted in 2009 at 8,000 per hectare on Bokkeveld shale, with partial ageing in amphorae, the rest in French oak, 75% going through malo. It has a gorgeous nose, very pure, with citrus peel, orange pith and light chalky scents. The palate is well balanced with lime and quince, touches of camomile and almond with a dab of marmalade bitterness on the finish. Superb.