Reserve Chardonnay 2016

Provenance

The late David Brice was a respected wine connoisseur, collector and co-founder of Brice and Burnett – The Fine Wine Specialists (formerly Wine Cellar). His lifelong passion for wine from all corners of the world wine, and generosity, helped develop a culture of fine wine in South Africa and beyond. Always with value and authenticity in mind, the collection spans a wide range of styles from leading producers and diverse regions. The wines were professionally imported under refrigeration and carefully stored at Brice and Burnett (formerly Wine Cellar) thereafter. Many of the producers are not available in South Africa and provide an excellent buying opportunity.

For more detailed information on the lots, please feel free to contact Roland Peens (roland@briceandburnett.co.za). Roland spent many years sharing and enjoying these wines with David Brice and is happy to provide further insight into the collection.

Critics Ratings

'Complex aromas (nuts, citrus, marzipan, stonefruit, floral) introduce expressive but unshowy 2016, with perfectly proportioned acid freshness & oak reduced to 20% new. Combines outgoing vivacity with elegance. Long, long finish. Should achieve even greater things over a decade.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2018, 5* (95/100)

'"We've spent five years defining out style," says Carl van der Merwe, moving towards Burgundy as it were. The oak is scented and toasty, while the palate is flinty, nutty and citrus-edged, with underlying peach and nectarine flavours and pithy, refreshing acidity. 2019-25' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2018, 94/100

'Quite rich, tangy and somehow 'green' on the nose. Mouth-filling and nicely balanced.' - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 16.5/20 (Oct 2017)

'Ripe and fresh, featuring yellow apple and pear flavors lined with kiwifruit, green almond and green plum notes that give this extra range. Shows a hazelnut flash through the finish, with racy acidity. Drink now through 2020.' - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 92/100 (Nov 2017)

'The 2016 Reserve Chardonnay has an even better nose than the 2015: lemon sherbet, yellow flowers and freshly sliced white peach bursting from the glass, augmented by a hint of tinned apricot. This is irresistible. The palate is well balanced, very expressive with a superb line of acidity. This is an exuberant Chardonnay that barely knows what to do with all that nascent energy. Carl van der Merwe suggested that the 2015 Reserve Chardonnay might have greater longevity. You know, I suspect this might have a longer arc.' - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 94/100 (Apr 2017)