This vintage continues to highlight the vineyard’s remarkable and consistent textural expression. Explosive citrus and succulent apricot fruit flavors engage the palate and drive an exhilarating fresh persistence.
Excellent length. Nuanced and layered, however, it will reward further patience in spades. Drink now through 2029.
Food pairing: The richness of the wine works very well with a mild tandoori salmon and coriander chutney. Leafy herb salad with a light drizzle of miso dressing. Classic avocado ritz.
Excellent length. Nuanced and layered, however, it will reward further patience in spades. Drink now through 2029.
Food pairing: The richness of the wine works very well with a mild tandoori salmon and coriander chutney. Leafy herb salad with a light drizzle of miso dressing. Classic avocado ritz.
The Kaaimansgat or Crocodile’s Lair vineyard is hidden away in a beautiful valley, nestled amongst majestic mountains, just 80 km from Hermanus. Bouchard Finlayson has been linked directly to this vineyard for over
thirty vintages. It is located 700m above sea level, ripens a month later than other Cape Chardonnays and benefits enormously from cool autumn temperatures. The name of the vineyard is steeped in mystery. According to local lore, escaped slaves from nearby Franschhoek under the leadership of ‘Kwaaiman’, first settled here.
Good rainfall was received during winter, but unfortunately wet conditions continued into the growing season - the cumulative summer precipitation nearly equaling the annual average. On Heritage weekend of
24 September, historic maximum rainfall data was revised when a massive 196mm event caused devastating flooding and landslides across the region. Wet and windy conditions prevailed during flower, reducing yields
on most cultivars. Fortunately, the inclement weather dissipated before the onset of harvest, allowing ripeness to progress unhindered on the small and concentrated crop. Picking started in the second week of
February, but in a very congested fashion, as ripening of various cultivars converged towards the first week of March.
Another healthy and impressive crop, notwithstanding the challenging growing conditions that marked the vintage. Chardonnay juice, freshly liberated from the hand-picked bunches, is deliberately exposed to a
limited amount of oxygen prior to fermentation. This action is taken to remove undesired phenolics and contribute to a bright and fresh wine. The majority of the maturing wine was permitted to undergo malolactic fermentation, striking a perfect balance between palate weight and purity. Matured in French oak for 8 months, with a 22% new component. Bottling in January 2024.
thirty vintages. It is located 700m above sea level, ripens a month later than other Cape Chardonnays and benefits enormously from cool autumn temperatures. The name of the vineyard is steeped in mystery. According to local lore, escaped slaves from nearby Franschhoek under the leadership of ‘Kwaaiman’, first settled here.
Good rainfall was received during winter, but unfortunately wet conditions continued into the growing season - the cumulative summer precipitation nearly equaling the annual average. On Heritage weekend of
24 September, historic maximum rainfall data was revised when a massive 196mm event caused devastating flooding and landslides across the region. Wet and windy conditions prevailed during flower, reducing yields
on most cultivars. Fortunately, the inclement weather dissipated before the onset of harvest, allowing ripeness to progress unhindered on the small and concentrated crop. Picking started in the second week of
February, but in a very congested fashion, as ripening of various cultivars converged towards the first week of March.
Another healthy and impressive crop, notwithstanding the challenging growing conditions that marked the vintage. Chardonnay juice, freshly liberated from the hand-picked bunches, is deliberately exposed to a
limited amount of oxygen prior to fermentation. This action is taken to remove undesired phenolics and contribute to a bright and fresh wine. The majority of the maturing wine was permitted to undergo malolactic fermentation, striking a perfect balance between palate weight and purity. Matured in French oak for 8 months, with a 22% new component. Bottling in January 2024.
Established in 1989, Bouchard Finlayson is a boutique winery dedicated to the making of Pinot noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc wines of outstanding quality. Located in the wine ward of Walker Bay, an hour and a half from Cape Town, the 125-hectare property currently has 22 hectares under vines. The rest is mountain land, covered by the spectacular indigenous fynbos and flora of the Western Cape.
Bouchard Finlayson is renowned as one of South Africa's top wineries and this can be attributed to their philosophy and focus to produce wines of the finest quality.
Bouchard Finlayson is renowned as one of South Africa's top wineries and this can be attributed to their philosophy and focus to produce wines of the finest quality.
