2024 Roodekrantz Vineyard selection Chardonnay

Winery

For the Vineyard Selection Chardonnay, Roodekrantz consciously chooses a modern and fresh style in which fruit, tension, and drinkability take center stage. The grapes come from carefully selected vineyards in Swartland and Paarl, two regions that combine ripe fruit and fresh acidity. By working primarily with stainless steel tanks, the pure character of the Chardonnay is well preserved. Only a small portion of the wine ages briefly in used French oak barrels for added texture and depth. You can find more information under the Winery tab.

Origin and terroir

The grapes for this 2024 Chardonnay come from both Swartland and Paarl, two well-known wine regions in South Africa with different climatic influences and soil structures. Swartland is known for its warm days and dry conditions, while Paarl offers slightly more cooling and freshness thanks to differences in altitude and air currents from the ocean.

The vineyards are situated on deep shale and granite soils. These soils retain sufficient moisture while simultaneously ensuring good drainage, which is important during hot summers. The result is a Chardonnay with ripe fruit, fresh acidity, and a beautiful balance between softness and liveliness.

Grapes and vineyard management

This wine is made from 100% Chardonnay sourced from vineyards approximately twenty years old. The grapes grow in irrigated trellised vineyards, where they are well protected from excessive heat while simultaneously receiving sufficient sunlight for optimal ripening.

The harvest took place in the early morning hours to preserve the freshness and aromatic precision of the grapes. The grapes were picked at optimal ripeness, ensuring sufficient concentration without the wine becoming heavy or clunky.

Vinification and aging

After the harvest, the grapes were carefully processed and fermented in stainless steel tanks. This method ensures that the fresh citrus aromas and pure fruit character are optimally preserved. No malolactic fermentation took place, so the wine's natural acidity remains lively and crisp.

After fermentation, approximately ten percent of the wine aged for four months in used French oak barrels. Additionally, the wine came into contact with the fine lees, which adds extra depth and texture. This combination of steel, subtle wood influence, and sur lie aging results in a Chardonnay with freshness, roundness, and refined balance.

Total production amounted to approximately 8,000 bottles, making this wine slightly more accessible than the house's small old vine cuvées, but still receiving a great deal of attention in the cellar.

Color, smell and taste

In the glass, the wine displays a clear light yellow color with subtle golden reflections. The nose opens fresh and inviting with aromas of white peach, summer melon, and citrus. In the background, nuances of yellow apple and light stone fruit notes appear.

The taste is lively and precisely built around fresh lime acidity and ripe white fruit. Contact with the lees gives the wine a slightly creamy structure and more depth in the mid-palate. Notes of citrus, peach, and ripe apple remain beautifully present into the long, fresh finish, in which green apple adds extra tension.

With an alcohol content of 13.31%, a total acidity of 5.58 g/L, and a pH of 3.46, this Chardonnay maintains a fresh and energetic style. The low residual sugar content of 2.6 g/L keeps the wine crisp and dry without appearing harsh.

Style and character

This Vineyard Selection Chardonnay combines fresh citrus acidity with a round, soft texture. The wine is modern in style and emphatically focused on fruit purity and elegance rather than heavy oak influences or buttery richness.

Thanks to its fresh structure and ripe fruit, the wine is versatile at the table. Grilled fish, shrimp, and creamy seafood dishes pair perfectly with the wine's lively acidity. Chicken piccata with lemon and capers also makes a lovely combination. Additionally, the fuller mid-palate pairs well with creamy mushroom risotto or fresh salads with peach, citrus, and light vinaigrettes.

Volume

The 2024 vintage yielded healthy grapes with good aromatic intensity and fresh natural acidity. Thanks to early harvest times and careful selection, the fruit remained bright and lively despite the warm conditions during the growing season.

For Chardonnay, this resulted in a wine with ripe white fruit, citrus-driven freshness, and a beautiful balance between roundness and tension. The combination of stainless steel aging, limited oak aging, and retention of natural acidity gives this wine a modern and accessible style.

Pick up in Dordrecht?

If available, you will find the official factsheet and additional information about this fine wine in the 'Attachments' tab. We will automatically send these to you upon ordering this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you come to collect the wine, you will often receive a nice discount. You will see your discount immediately when you select 'Pick up' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht, situated almost next to the A16 with ample parking. Click here for our address.