Survivor Terroir Chardonnay 2024

Survivor Terroir Chardonnay 2024 showcases Chardonnay from Elgin, one of South Africa's best-known cool-climate wine regions. Situated inland from the Cape's coast, Elgin's cooler growing conditions help preserve natural acidity and develop expressive fruit flavours, giving the wines freshness alongside depth. Survivor Wines focuses on sourcing distinctive vineyard parcels from South Africa's varied wine-growing regions. Winemaker Pierre Wahl takes a terroir-led approach, allowing the character of each vineyard to shape the finished wine. For this Chardonnay, hand-harvested grapes were gently pressed before undergoing natural fermentation in 228- and 300-litre French oak barrels. A combination of new and older barrels adds layers of texture and gentle spice without overwhelming the fruit. The wine then spent approximately 10 months on its lees, contributing a rounded, creamy mouthfeel and additional complexity. The result is a dry, thoughtfully made Chardonnay that combines Elgin's natural freshness with ripe fruit, subtle oak and a satisfying texture.

Colour: Light golden yellow with a bright, clear appearance.
Nose: Lemon zest and ripe pear lead, accompanied by nectarine and other stone-fruit aromas. Subtle notes of toasted almonds, gentle oak spice and a hint of buttery richness add complexity.
Palate: Dry and rounded, with flavours of citrus, pear and ripe stone fruit. French oak and lees ageing contribute a creamy texture and delicate toasted-nut character, while lively acidity provides freshness and keeps the wine from feeling heavy.
Finish: Persistent and gently savoury, with lingering citrus, stone fruit and a subtle toasted-almond note.