2019 Baroness Nadine Chardonnay

The Baroness Nadine Chardonnay is the only white wine produced at Ch. Lafite’s venture in the slopes of the Simonsberg mountain, close to Franschhoek. Additional fruit is sourced from Elgin and Barrydale. The wine is fermented in 300-litre oak barrels (65%, of which a third is new), concrete egg (15%) and old oak foudres (20%). With the iconic “Rothschild” name on the label, there’s a lot to live up to with this bottling. It doesn’t disappoint. This is smile-inducing Chardonnay (especially when you see the price tag). Taut, precise and chiselled on the nose, there’s a lovely balance of citrus and stone fruit, minerality and butterscotch. With zesty limes and lemons, melon, grapefruit, toast and vanilla, there is so much to like here. The finish is long, the acidity mouth-watering. The wine is approachable now but will clearly age beautifully over the coming years.