Cap Maritime Coastal Chardonnay

Tasting Notes Cap Coastal Maritime Chardonnay

The Cap Maritime Coastal Chardonnay shimmers in the glass with a light golden-yellow color and a refined, expressive nose full of ripe yellow fruits like peach and melon, refreshing citrus accents, and subtle floral notes. On the palate, the wine presents itself elegantly and balanced, with fresh acidity beautifully complemented by juicy flavors of green apple and citrus, while the creamy texture and delicate oak influence provide extra depth. The finish is long, clean, and slightly mineral, with a hint of spice that gives the wine a refined and gastronomic appeal.

Wine & Food Pairing

Cap Maritime Coastal Chardonnay beautifully combines its fresh acidity and creamy texture with grilled fish, shellfish, or poultry in a light sauce. Creamy pasta dishes, mushroom risotto, and subtle Asian dishes with ginger or lemongrass are also perfectly balanced by its minerality and citrus accents.

Additional Information

The Hemel-en-Aarde Valley is located approximately twenty kilometers from Hermanus, the coastal town on Walker Bay also known as South Africa's 'whale capital'. It is warm there, but it rarely gets hotter than thirty degrees Celsius during the growing season. This is due to the fresh sea breeze and the fact that the vineyards are generally located at a higher altitude. The perfect place for making wines, therefore.

After the harvest, the grapes are transported in refrigerated trucks to the cellars of Boekenhoutskloof in Franschhoek, where they undergo careful selection. The grapes are pressed as whole bunches, after which the juice ferments in used barriques and concrete vats. During the 12-month maturation, the yeast cells are regularly stirred through the wine (batonnage).

At home in Franschhoek, Marc Kent has made a name for himself with magnificent wines such as Boekenhoutskloof Semillon, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, all of which belong to the absolute top of South Africa. But Kent has more arrows to his bow. In addition to these limited-production showpieces, he also makes exceptionally attractive wines under the names Porcupine Ridge and The Wolftrap, which are available to a wider audience. The Chocolate Block certainly belongs to this category at a slightly higher level.

Awards/Distinctions

• James Suckling gave the 2023 vintage a 90/100
• Natalie MacLean also gave the same vintage a 90/100
• Boekenhoutskloof was named South Africa's best winery in Platter's Wine Guide 2020
• Head winemaker Gottfried Mocke was named Winemaker of the Year 2020 by Tim Atkin