Talana Hill was established in 1988 and won first prize in the World Wine Auction for its Chardonnay that same year. From 2007 until 2021, the vineyard was under the stewardship of Vriesenhof Vineyards and award-winning winemaker Jan Boland Coetzee, but was purchased by Doug and Carolyn Smollan in 2021. 2022 saw the production of their first vintage by new winemaker Adam Mason, a limited-release Chardonnay of 100% Stellenbosch Mountain origin.
The 2022 Talana Hill is wonderfully realised. One can almost call it a Goldilocks Chardonnay – everything is in just the right place. There is attractive light toast, quiet white stone fruit, a hint of pineapple, and a mineral note of reduction before a fresh, vibrant and energetic palate. A bite of pear skin, buttered toast and pithy citrus follow, ending with a grippy, super-long finish. The fruit is whole-bunch pressed and matured for 10 months in one new 228-litre Burgundian Piece (Chassin cooperage) and one neutral 225-litre barrel. Delicious and serious.
The Talana Hill vineyard is nestled on a gentle, sunset-facing slope in the foothills of the Stellenbosch Mountains. Doug and Carolyn Smollan have been closely connected to Talana Hill, and Carolyn has actually picked grapes here for 37 years, whilst Doug has been a student, lover, and consumer of wine since 1976. This is a dream come true for them.
Tasting Notes:
‘Bright and luminous in the glass, with a lime green edge around a golden hue. There is a note of fresh buttered toast and some roasted nuts, the oaking superbly handled, adding allure on the nose and heft to the palate. The nose is fresh and inviting with white stone fruit, white pear and the palate follows with lovely hints of burnt orange spritz and salty, preserved lemon pith. Chalky, with a driven acidity livening the integrated flavours. The finish is classic Chardonnay – citrus, struck match, stone fruit, bright acidity and a seriously long, savoury finish. As the wine sits in the glass, attractive notes of ripe and dried pineapple add depth and the moreish acidity constantly reignites the palate, pulling you back in for more. The Talana Hill 2022 is somewhere between the new and old worlds in style.’ – James Pietersen, August 2024
