2023 GOUE RIF Chardonnay Van Niekerk Vintners, Lea & Sandeman

GOUE RIF

2023 Chardonnay Van Niekerk Vintners

IN STOCK
Grapes Chardonnay
Colour White
Origin South Africa, Bot River
ABV 13%

Amongst the windswept hills of the Overberg lies a mythical stretch of land so abundant and fertile, it's referred to by locals as the "Goue Rif" - meaning Golden Ridge. While its precise location remains a mystery, every farmer is convinced it lies just beyond their neighbours' fields!
This is the first vintage of the Goue Rif. And they havve made just two precious barrels. Pure Chardonnay from Oveberg Mountains. The grapes were sourced from just outside the top border of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, soon to be called "Shaw's Mountain". Whole Bunches were pressed followed by gentle battonage as the wine aged in barrel for 10 months. L&S (Dec 2024)

*Case price discount: Mix any 12 bottles of wine (or 9 litre equivalent) or 6 bottles of Champagne, Spirits, Sweet Wine or Fortified (4.5 litres) to get the discounted 'case price' for each bottle.

Lemon and orange but also notes of freshly baked bread, spice and some leesy complexity on the nose. The palate is old school being rich and round, smooth textured, the acidity well integrated, the finish gently savoury Rating: 90 www.winemag.co.za (Dec 2024)

Goue Rif - Golden Ridge in Afrikaans - is a first release from Shaw's Mountain that shows its cool climate origins. Subtly wooded in older barrels, it has some cream and butter from full malolactic, peach, lemon and tangerine flavours and a bright, well-balanced finish. Drinking range: 2025 - 2028 Rating: 90 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Oct 2024)

The 2023 Goue Rif, which means golden ridge, is the maiden Chardonnay from Van Niekerk. It was fermented naturally, whole-bunch-pressed and aged in used French oak. This has a refined bouquet of yellow plum and citrus scents, with fine delineation. A little understated, the palate is well balanced with crisp acidity—fresh and saline, with a brisk, sapid finish. Just two barrels produced. Drinking range: 2024 - 2029Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Sep 2024)

Van Niekerk Vintners

VNV was born in the heart of the beautiful Overberg in 2019, a perfect setting to pay tribute to Albert's family history. The Van Niekerks have been farming in the area for generations and this new chapter has been started by Albert and Anmar who continue the tradition as a husband and wife winemaking team.

Albert van Niekerk is assistant winemaker to Peter-Allan Finlayson of Crystallum and John Seccombe of Thorne & Daughters, last year he married Anmar, who is the Gabriëlskloof assistant winemaker, and the two now work together in producing wines under this label.

In the late 1600s a prosperous farmer, Cornelis van Niekerk and eight others took a stance against the Cape’s corrupt governor by refusing to sell their wine to the dishonest regime. Instead, they sold directly to passing ships at a much fairer price. This landed them in a Mauritian jail where Cornelis eventually passed away - unjustly branded as one of “The 9 Rebellious Vrijboeren”. It is from this family history that young Albert Van Niekerk derives the name of their gorgeously attractive red 'Rebellie'.

This wine isn't currently part of a mixed case, but you can always browse our full selection of mixed cases here.
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