CAPE OF GOOD HOPE SERRURIA CHARDONNAY 2025

Tendrils of spice add nuance and allure to a nose packed with black berries, hedgerow fruit and some mocha notes. The palate is plush, rounded and pillowy but layered with dark fruitcake flavour, black cherry, baking spice and pencil shavings too. The mouthfeel is complemented by its overall stature and regal refinement. Balanced with seamless integration of oak and ripe, rich fruit with lovely succulence and freshness as well. Complex, supple and silky smooth, the wine is ultimately simply delicious with a superbly long tail.

Both the nose and palate of this wine impress with abundance: a plethora of aromas and flavours – but nothing dominates. Whiffs of marmalade, lime zest, cream and nutty cashew and macadamia with an edge of dust and flint. The palate replicates those in flavour form, along with roasted or grilled peach, eucalyptus honey and brûléed orange. Despite this melange, the wine is structured and harmonious, yet supple and rounded in its textured, layered mouthfeel. Complex, certainly, but elegant, graceful and sophisticated with impressive poise throughout. The use of lees and oak aging lends additional dimension and interest and only means that the blend will age with distinction.

Pale salmon hue, with generous bouquet of lime cordial, oyster shell, fresh sea breeze and apple. Tang of crunchy, crisp green apple and raspberry, vivacious and bright, are immediately apparent on the palate. Lively fizz and energy of the mousse lends additional appeal. Lime marmalade and citrus zest appear before a fantail of toasty brioche, sourdough and creamy lees unfurls. Poised, focused, dry and cohesive to the end.

Intriguing blend of black fruit – ripe plum and black cherry – mingled with spice, fynbos, dried herb and olives can be found aromatically. Succulence is the first impression in the mouth – followed swiftly by what the nose promised: the dark, ripe plum flavour, dried herbs, black olive and fynbos along with spice and a creamy, buttery mouthfeel. Gentle hint of earthy cocoa powder too. Superbly balanced, rounded and poised with the fruit in harmony with acid, as well as the oak it has matured in. There’s a sense of leashed power, refinement and elegance to this wine, as if it has yet to reach its best expression. Long, rewarding tail. Will compensate patience if well cellared, as befits the exceptional 2021 vintage.