2020 Under the Gavel Cape Winemakers Guild

Winemaker Kevin Grant. 100% Chardonnay sourced from a single, organically farmed, cool, south-facing vineyard. Oxidatively vinified with vigorously worked juice, 'excessively aerated followed by a thorough juice pumpover before settling'. Spontaneous fermentation in custom-made burgundian barrels and aged 10 months in barrels. RS 3.2 g/l, TA 7 g/l, pH 3.42. 504 bottles made. Curiously sweet, like concentrated tangerine powder. Buttery fruit with such intensity it's almost painful – Chardonnay with the volume dialled right up. So vivid in flavour and texture that I want a pair of sunglasses to taste this. The components are all there, loud and clear, in technicolour, but it needs much more to knit and reach anything near harmony. This could (probably will) turn out to be stunning, but at the moment it's just too forceful. (TC)