With a family history that’s steeped in the wine industry, there’s always been just one vocation for Yvonne Lester. Her maiden release is an absolute triumph. Chardonnay makes some of the greatest white wines on the planet, and top South African examples are among the best in the New World. The elegant and complex Vonn Chardonnay 2023 joins this canon with aplomb.
Known for making the acclaimed Baroness Nadine Chardonnay, Yvonne was Head Winemaker at Rupert & Rothchild from 2012 until her departure in 2020. She has long been inspired by the Kweekkamp vineyard – a unique place – and manages to capture the site with this riveting and somewhat mysterious expression of Chardonnay.
Planted in 2005, Kweekkamp is a single vineyard in Robertson on limestone soils. The site allows for great maturation at lower alcohol levels with high natural acidity; this vintage is just 13% alcohol with a natural acidity of 6,5g/l TA. It needs a little time in bottle and has the intrinsics to last 10 years plus.
Exclusive to Wine Cellar, this is a fabulous addition to the South African Chardonnay landscape.
Tasting Notes:
‘A wonderful maiden release from a single vineyard called Kweekkamp in Robertson. Slow to evolve, there are some quiet florals, lemon and lime spritz, white stone fruit and – as the wine unwinds in the glass – apricot, crushed stone and attractive oak spice. The palate follows to a fresh, elegant and driven palate. As the wines evolves, there is a more sensuous texture. Impressively balanced with a long, lingering finish coated with preserved lemon salinity. The limestone soils allow for early ripening as well as high natural acidity. The wine is picked in three tranches, mostly going into older second and third fill French oak, but also 10% in ceramic vessels.’ – James Pietersen, June 2024
