2022 Vintage — Franschhoek Valley, Western Cape, South Africa

Franschhoek experienced a long, moderate 2022 growing season, with good winter rainfall replenishing the valley’s water reserves before a warm but not extreme summer. Cooler periods through January and February extended the ripening window, allowing the Chardonnay to develop full flavour complexity while retaining the natural acidity that defines wines from this elevated, south-facing valley. The 2022 whites from Franschhoek show excellent fruit definition and freshness.

Chamonix is one of Franschhoek’s landmark estates, farming a diverse range of varietals across the valley floor and mountain slopes at elevations of up to 600 metres. The Reserve Chardonnay is the estate’s flagship white — sourced from low-yielding old vine blocks planted on decomposed granite soils. Following whole-bunch pressing, the juice is barrel fermented in French oak (a proportion new) with natural yeasts, then aged on the fine lees for ten months with regular bâtonnage to develop texture and complexity. The result is a wine of real authority: richly flavoured but precisely structured, balancing Burgundian ambition with the ripe, sun-kissed fruit character unique to this celebrated valley.