Ava Marie Chardonnay 2020

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

"Very distinctive nose. Great grip on the palate but quite muted, non showy but it should last very well. Very lively, long and throbbing." - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17/20 (Jun 2023)

"Back at the top of its game in 2020, Ava Marie fully deserves its reputation as one of the Cape's top Chardonnays. Fermented in a combination of 10% new barrels, stainless steel and amphoras, it's a white that's structured, intense, focused and beautifully balanced, with stony minerality, subtle oak and notes of aniseed, camomile, lemon and lime." - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2022, 96/100 (Sep 2022)

"The 2020 Chardonnay Ava Marie is whole bunch pressed, the juice oxidized and settled, followed by a spontaneous barrel ferment with 10 to 12 months sur lie. This has an attractive bouquet with a very subtle reduction, the 10% new oak discrete in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with a crisp line of acidity, quite taut and linear, hints of orange rind and plenty of salinity on the finish. Excellent." - Neal Martin, Vinous, 92/100 (Aug 2022)