2012 Chamonix Chardonnay Reserve

The 2012 Chardonnay Reserve seems more muted compared to the regular Chardonnay, demanding more coaxing from the glass. The palate is better with quite an effervescent orange zest and lime opening, a fine line of acidity and the oak lending a little lift toward the weighty finish. But perversely I prefer the regular Chardonnay’s poise and finesse. Drink now-2017. If you want to taste some of Franschhoek’s finest expressions of Chardonnay then look no further than Cape Chamonix. This is one producer that I have been following for a number of years and over the last decade the wines just seem to get better and better. Kudos to winemaker Gottfried Mocke and his team. Importer: Knauth & Visser LLC, Branford, CT; tel. (203) 488-6665; and ABS Agencies (UK)