When it comes to South African wines, we at ABC have had great success with those from Graham Beck Winery. Their Game Reserve line (Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc, and Sauvignon Blanc) are definitely wines of quality and well worth trying, as are their superb Sparkling Brut and Sparkling Rosé. Their entry level wines (Shiraz, Shiraz/Cabernet, Chenin Blanc/Sauvignon Blanc) are also very tasty and a great value for the price.

Now, we are happy to add another wine from them to our stores – Graham Beck Chardonnay 2008.

Using exciting new Chardonnay clones, the grapes are hand selected and hand harvested from Robertson’s Red Karoo soil, rich in limestone. The wine is part fermented in French oak and the balance is cold-fermented in stainless steel tanks and left on light lees in the barrel for nine months with a weekly batonnage for the first three months after fermentation.

The Chardonnay has a golden hue with a gentle nougat, honey and citrus bouquet. The oak is well integrated and the wine shows a creamy, complex palate and an elegant, stylish finish. Priced at under $16, this Chardonnay is well-paired with grilled fish, scallops and other seafood as well as rich poultry and pasta dishes.

For those of you who like a little oak in your Chardonnay, pick this one up today!

Bill Stobbs, ABC Wine Supervisor

Follow me on Twitter @ABCWineBillS)