Bouchard Finlayson Chardonnays are catching the eye of international wine fundis! The Hemel-en-Aarde winery’s 2015 Missionvale Chardonnay received a Gold Award at the International Wine and Spirits Competition this year, and the 2015 Crocodile’s Lair Chardonnay scored 95 points by Tim Atkin.
These new releases are both available at the winery at R151 per bottle for the 2015 Crocodile’s Lair/Kaaimansgat Chardonnay and R239 per bottle for the 2015 Missionvale Chardonnay. The Missionvale is described as a “robust Chardonnay with loads of creamy feel. This supported by subtle peach and melon flavours following a zesty citrus watermark. The after taste conveys further fig and quince like character. This bottling has excellent potential for ageing and further development.”
The 2015 Crocodile’s Lair/Kaaimansgat Chardonnay is made using grapes from the Elandskloof Valley, just behind the village of Villiersdorp. It’s rich in flavour and has “Lots of melon, green apple, litchi and slight vanilla tones achieved from the French oak maturation. Creamy components will expand with time enhancing the flavour if further maturation is encouraged.”
Not only did Tim Atkin’s special report award the 2015 Crocodile’s Lair Chardonnay 95 points, but the 2015 Missionvale Chardonnay received 93 points. James Suckling, in his South African Report 2017, also rated the current Bouchard Finlayson vintages highly, scoring the 2015 Missionvale at 93 points, with 91 points going to the 2015 Crocodiles Lair Kaaimansgat Chardonnay. Wrapping up the international awards season, Greg Sherwood MW, scored the 2014 vintage of the Crocodile’s Lair Kaaimansgat Limited Edition Chardonnay at 94 points, in his 2017 report of ‘A fine wine safari’.
