J & G Chardonnay 2018, Robertson Valley, Western Cape, South Africa l LCBO# 189265 l $17.75

Le Savoir-Boire is pleased to present J & G Chardonnay 2018 from Goedverwacht Family Wines via the LCBO’s Destination Collection/eCommerce channel. This wine is available exclusively at the South Africa Destination Store in Pickering. Goedverwacht Estate is a family-owned estate, situated in the Robertson Valley on the banks of the Breede River. The farm has been owned by the Du Toit family for three generations.

In the 1960s, Gabriël Hendrik du Toit, a civil engineer, followed his dream of becoming a wine farmer by buying two neighbouring farms, totalling 70 ha, in the beautiful Breede River Valley, between Robertson and Bonnievale. He added a third property to start a dairy farm and called it Soek Die Geluk (which translates to ‘look for the happiness’) since he firmly believed that he would find happiness in this enterprise.

Between 1989 and 2015, Jan and Gawie du Toit, the current owners, added five more farms to the original properties and at present the farms cover a total of 380 ha. Of this, 280 ha is under irrigation and 180 ha under vineyards. Goedverwacht, translated into English means Great Expectations which is one of their main wine series. The J & G series is a father-son collaboration, named after Jan and his son Gawie, respectively the 2nd and 3rd generations of the Du Toit family and who now own and manage the estate.

Tasting Note:

A full-bodied yet refined Chardonnay with enticing citrus and minerality on the nose. Subtle oak aromas lend complexity to the wine. The palate is creamy but with a good line of acidity. Ideal with tandoori chicken or white fish.