Best of the White Bunch

- Silverstone's previous recommendations

De Wetshof "Lesca" Chardonnay 2000

April 2001

Robertson is located east of Cape Town in the Republic of SouthAfrica. If you travel 16 kilometers south east of Robertson you'll arrive at the De Wetshof Estate, where Danie De Wet is the owner and winemaker of the family business which the De Wet's began when they arrived in the region in 1693.

Danie studied winemaking at Geisenheim, the renowned German wine institute, and returned home to specialize in the production of truly outstanding white wines. De Wetshof's Chardonnay has emerged as one of South Africa's finest examples of the grape variety and indeed, a benchmark for the entire world to emulate.

The winery makes several different versions of Chardonnay, but the most quaffable is the "Chardonnay Finesse", which has the additional word "Lesca" on the label, named after Danie's wife. It is cold fermented in stainless steel and then allowed to develop further in

oak barrels. Danie selects Chardonnay grapes, for this version, which have a prominent citrus flavor, so the final product is light, dry and offers a crisp lemon and nutty taste.

Although I tend to avoid Chardonnay as much as possible, because I rarely find that the versions I sample live up to my expectations of this magnificent grape, De Wetshof's Chardonnay is one of the most exciting and rewarding drinks I've tasted in ages. And if it was an Academy Award nominee, it would most certainly walk away with an Oscar!

Cheers!

Region Robertson, South Africa

Grapes Chardonnay

Price (approx) $11.99

Technical Oak barrel fermentation at 17-20 . After fermentation the wine is left on the lees for a short period to compliment the delicate nature of the wine.

Vineyard/Soil Soil: Gravel/lime Vine Age: 11-18 years Estate Acreage: 140 Hectares

Best of the White Bunch

- Silverstone's previous recommendations