Darling Cellars Blanc de Blanc Cap Classique Brut 2024

Darling Cellars is based near the West Coast town of Darling in the Western Cape, where cooling maritime influences and sandy soils help preserve freshness in the grapes. The region's dry-farmed bush vines offer a distinctive expression of the West Coast, with Chardonnay providing the bright acidity and delicate fruit character well suited to sparkling wine. The Darling Cellars Blanc de Blanc Cap Classique Brut 2024 is made entirely from Chardonnay and follows the traditional bottle-fermentation method used for South African Cap Classique. The grapes are hand-harvested early in the season to retain natural acidity, then whole-bunch pressed to obtain delicate juice. After its initial fermentation, the wine undergoes a second fermentation in the bottle and spends 16 months on its lees. This extended contact contributes creamy texture and subtle notes of baked bread and toast, adding complexity to the wine's fresh citrus profile.

Colour: Pale straw yellow with a bright, clear appearance and a fine stream of bubbles.
Nose: Fresh lemon and lime lead, followed by crisp green apple. Beneath the fruit, gentle notes of baked bread and toast add a subtle savoury complexity from the time spent on the lees. 
Palate: Dry in style, with lively bubbles and refreshing acidity carrying flavours of lemon, lime and green apple. The texture is creamy, with hints of toasted bread adding depth without obscuring the fresh fruit. Chardonnay gives the wine both its citrus-driven character and a satisfying mid-palate weight. 
Finish: Clean and refreshing, with lingering citrus, crisp apple and a delicate toasted note.