White Wine
Chardonnay
Dry
Full Bodied
750ml
13% alc./vol

Radford Dale Chardonnay Stellenbosch 2018

Stellenbosch, South Africa

94 Points - Tim Atkin
93 Points - Wine Align
4.5 Stars - Platter's

$31.95per bottle ($383.40per case)
12 bottles per case

Restrained & Mineral

Radford Dale is one of South Africa’s leading independent wineries. Based on the Helderberg Mountain in Stellenbosch, they specialize in producing site-specific, natural wines.

With a strong influence from Alex Dale’s upbringing in Burgundy, the making of this Chardonnay is also adapted to their particular conditions, specifically this ocean-facing parcel of Stellenbosch – the mineral geology and temperate maritime climate both lending much to the equation. Restraining acidity, citrus flavours and invisible, integrated oak, is the introverted side of its character; ripeness and great persistence on the palate the more expansive side. Genuinely mineral, with a crisp lime-citrus edge and an elegant yet intense durability. A Chardonnay striving to be individual, focused on backbone not brawn.

Try this wine with salmon with roasted shiitakes and mushroom sauce, seafood, poultry or a creamy risotto.

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About the Winery

Radford Dale

Radford Dale and The Winery of Good Hope are two brands made by the same people, in the same winery. The team behind these wineries has been an industry leader since the 1990s in chemical free farming, and more recently in low and no sulfur winemaking. They are a founding member of PIWOSA (Premium Independent Wineries of South Africa) which sets ethical, environmental and social uplift standards. Recognizing the social inequality present in South Africa Radford Dale has also set up a trust called Land of Hope to help facilitate bright futures for children, focusing heavily on education.

Alex Dale who owns and manages both projects is an Englishman who grew up spending summers in Burgundy, France. He moved there in his late teens to follow a passion for winemaking and also opened a wine bar in Beaune. He lived in Burgundy for many years before moving to South Africa in 1998, starting Radford Dale with Ben Radford, an Australian. The idea was to produce wines using modern techniques and technology with a healthy respect for tradition, something Alex came to understand well while living in Burgundy.

Wines are made with minimal intervention in order to best express each vineyard’s individuality.

Press Reviews

Tim Atkin

94 Points

With his background in Burgundy, Alex Dale has always known how to make good Chardonnay. This lightly wooded example, bottled under screwcap, has some peachy aromatics, but is driven by lemony acidity. Downy lees and some toasty spice complete the palate.

Wine Align

93 Points - Michael Godel

Never ever underestimate wines made from fruit grown anywhere in the vicinity of the Helderberg Mountain in Stellenbosch. Radford Dale is a custodian of such land and winemaker Jacques de Klerk feels every grape, vine and vessel holding this sacred Western Cape fruit with every fibre of his Afrikaans being. The reductive intensity and locked in freshness of this chardonnay brings white pepper and wet granite stone to the fore; then the palate goes all gelid lemon and nectarine granita. Finally there is a biscuit not buttered but mildly truffled you can’t resist. Chenin? Well yes, but chardonnay! Drink 2020-2025. Tasted October 2020.