WTN: Rustenberg Chardonnay 2004

Stellenboch.

A nose quite similar to lemon merangue pie.

Lemony, rich and creamy but supported by zippy and crisp acidity, vanilla, orange peel, marzipan, smoky.

A very interesting drinking experience. Rich and complex, obviously oaked, but not enough to overwhelm other aspects and supported by enough acidity to keep everything crisp.

Purchased at $22.95 (Canadian).

Bruce, many thanks for the note. I can't believed I didn't notice this one right away.

I have to say that some of the best, most complex oaked Chardonnay I've had has been from South Africa. There are so many additional layers - peaty, lemon-oily, smoky characters - that I absolutely love. It's not all squeaky clean butterscotch and vanilla candle wax, like so many goopy New World/warm-climate Chards.

Many thanks for the note again - I'm going to see if I can find some of this.

Many thanks for the note again - I'm going to see if I can find some of this.

Paul:

Good news for me-bad news for you: The three bottles I bought were the last of, I believe, nine left in the province. In its infinite wisdom, the LCBO only imported a couple of hundred six-bottle cases (if that). I purchased mine at the large Vintages store in Ottawa and the sales person had to go in the back to get the last case they had.

I have checked the search engine a couple of times since and, the last time I looked, there was one store that claimed to have three bottles.

Thanks for the note Bruce. Have you tried the more expensive but absolutely sublime Rustenberg "Five Soldiers" chardonnay.
This winery,produce an absolutely stunning range of very good value wines,from the John X Merriman Bdx blend to the Brampton wines.

No, I haven't Keith. This is my first experience with this winery, but thanks for the tip.