Chardonnay, Vrede, Hemel en Aarde, 2022
Typically the more giving of the two Chardonnays, Vrede offers ripe orchard fruits, citrus and a trace of white honey, complimenting a touch of soft nectarine. Tensile and fine and a lovely fruit driven Chardonnay carried at just 12.5% alcohol. Vrede Chardonnay – or Peace Chardonnay – hails from a northeast-facing slope in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley with low-vigour, stony, clay-rich Bokkeveld shale soil. Ageing took place 25% new French barrique over 11 months. Since 2022, all wines are closed with DIAM corks.
critic reviews
The 2022 Chardonnay Vrede undergoes a 5-hour skin contact with around eight months in oak barrels, 30% new. The intense bouquet has dried honey, beeswax and bruised apple scents. The palate is well-balanced, with a very harmonious opening. The Bokkeveld shale soils are articulated extremely well here, gaining weight with a vivid, almond-tinged, pithy finish that lingers in the mouth. Excellent.