2023 Thelema Mountain Chardonnay, Stellenbosch

Buttered toast, cooked mangoes, apricots and orange curd on the nose of this rich white. It’s indulgent and buttery with ripe stone and tropical fruit character. Toasty finish. Sustainable. Drink now. Screw cap.

91 points James Suckling

Thelema Mountain Vineyards has been at the forefront of South African fine wine since the early 1980s, when Gyles Webb recognised the extraordinary potential of the Simonsberg slopes in Stellenbosch. Today, the family estate continues to produce wines of exceptional quality, combining traditional winemaking with a deep respect for site. Mountain Chardonnay has become one of the winery's signature wines, admired for its balance, elegance and remarkable value.

The fruit is sourced from high elevation vineyards on the slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain, where cool afternoon breezes and decomposed granite soils encourage slow ripening and vibrant natural acidity. The excellent 2023 vintage delivered beautifully balanced fruit with impressive concentration and freshness. Careful barrel fermentation and maturation in French oak add texture and complexity while allowing the purity of the vineyard to remain the focus.

The colour is a brilliant pale gold with green highlights. Aromas of white peach, nectarine and preserved lemon are complemented by grapefruit zest, toasted hazelnut, oatmeal and delicate flinty notes. The palate is beautifully poised, balancing ripe stone fruit with bright citrus, creamy texture and seamlessly integrated oak. A fine mineral line and refreshing acidity carry the wine through a long, elegant finish, leaving lingering notes of roasted almonds and citrus zest.

A superb partner for grilled lobster, roast chicken with tarragon, seared scallops, creamy mushroom risotto or roast cauliflower with brown butter. Enjoy now for its freshness and precision or cellar for eight to ten years as further complexity develops.