Legendary South African wine estate Boschendal was named producer of the top South African white wine at the prestigious International Wine Challenge (IWC) for its Boschendal Elgin Chardonnay 2018. In addition to the accolade as Top South African White Wine, the wine was named Best Elgin Chardonnay and achieved a gold medal for scoring 96 out of 100 points.
Boschendal marketing manager, Shirley van Wyk, said to be named Top South African White Wine at the influential IWC was a tremendous achievement for the Boschendal Elgin Chardonnay 2018. “Chardonnay is one of the most competitive wine categories anywhere in the world, especially at the IWC, which is entered by the international crème de la crème of wineries,” she said. “To achieve gold medal recognition is already a major achievement, but to be named the best South African white wine on show exceeded all expectations. Especially at this time when the Cape is making its best Chardonnays and other wines in its illustrious winemaking history.”
Boschendal harvests the fruit for this impressive Chardonnay from its vineyards in Elgin, which were planted in 2006. This Appellation Series Elgin Chardonnay (2018) has been a true standout, securing scores of more than 90 for the International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) 2019, the Prescient Chardonnay Report 2020 and the Tim Atkin South Africa Report 2020. The wine capped the year of acclaim with its astounding score of 96 from IWC.
The taste of Boschendal’s Chardonnay
IWC’s panel chairperson, Clive Barlow, complimented the Boschendal Elgin Chardonnay’s fine acidity with depth and layered savoury fruit and describes this winner as “crisp and focused, with a lovely depth of citrus. It is long and very fine, full bodied and refreshing.” The IWC’s co-chairperson, Tim Atkin, commended the delicate blend as “buttery and ample”. He went on to say it has an appealing Burgundian style, subtle gunflint aromas, fine oak, lots of refreshing acidity as well as lemongrass, pear and sea salt flavours.
Michael Langenhoven, white winemaker at Boschendal, said Elgin and Chardonnay is a match made in wine heaven. “While Chardonnay is the most widely planted white wine varietal in the world, it is in the cool climate of the Elgin region where we think the grape has found its true home in South Africa,” he said. “The 2018 Chardonnay came in at 23˚Balling and was whole-bunch pressed.
“The juice all went into 300-litre French Oak barrels of which 30% were new, to complete the alcoholic fermentation and remained in oak for twelve months. The wine is rich and complex, yet very elegant with citrus notes and a fine gunflint and minerality on the finish. Only 12 000 bottles were produced.” Van Wyk said: “To be named the best in South Africa and garnering a gold for the second year in a row is an amazing accolade for the estate. Our wonderful white winemaking team is always striving to create the best and they have done us very proud.” – Press release, Bosche
