Mulderbosch might be best known for their racy Sauvignon Blanc, but their sublime and age-worthy Chardonnay has gained a following all its own. Produce of 100% Chardonnay hand-harvested in February of 2005 from then 16- to 17-year old vines in the Koelenhof area of Stellenbosch, South Africa, about half of the juice was fermented and aged in stainless steel, the balance fermented on its own natural yeasts and aged in French oak. The wine underwent no malolactic fermentation and was aged on its lees for eight months. The two components were then blended, lightly fined and filtered before bottling. Canary diamond yellow gold in color, this is serious stuff from the very first whiff already with myriad complex aromas suggesting candied lime peel, pear, green apple, almond and melon; rich and round and just, um, what we used to call “buttery” at the edges, harmoniously balanced with vibrant Chardonnay fruit flavors, a crisp minerality and fully-integrated vanillin oak; this one may well find itself competing on a stage of breadth and scale with fine Côte de Beaune white Burgundies.

Very pale yellow. Classic aromas of grapefruit pith, lime and bell pepper, with a whiff of more exotic passion fruit. Broad and dense, with lovely citrus lift to the flavors of lime peel, pepper and gooseberry. A big boy for 2008, conveying an impression of chewy extract and finishing with excellent limey lift. Rated 90. ‑ Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar Issue 143, March/April 2009

Pale, bright, green-tinged yellow. Reticent aromas of citrus peel and dusty nutmeg. Then creamy and pliant in the mouth, with nuanced spice and lanolin qualities currently dominating fruit. A very supple style, aged in about 30% oak, some of it new American and Hungarian barrels. Just a touch of sugar keeps this quite easygoing. Rated 87. ‑ Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar Issue 143, March/April 2009