Glenelly Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2019

TASTING NOTES FROM THE CURATOR

The Estate Reserve Chardonnay by Glenelly Estate is bright and crisp in color, wafting beautiful scents of quince and citrus peel, lime, pear, and butterscotch caramel up to the nose. On the palate, it is lush but balanced, with vibrant mineral and citrus flavors that end in a delightfully textured finish.

PAIRINGS

South African Chardonnays from the Stellenbosch region have pride of place in any wine discussion. They go beautifully with the shellfish from along the coast and are a sushi-lover’s dream. Flaky grilled fish, from halibut to a well-chosen salmon—the wine’s acidity brings out the best in them. It goes well with strong cheeses like Asiago and Harvati, with well-toasted almonds on the side. This is a vegetarian’s wine, too, as this wine will carry you through a meal from salad to wonderful oven-roasted veggie medleys. Of course, fresh, fruity desserts like banana bread or vanilla pudding also love this mild wine!

STEEPED IN SOUTH AFRICAN HISTORY

The Glenelly Estate is one of those rare wineries twice-born. The original winery was created in 1783, during the settlement of French Huguenots in South Africa. Elie Miailhe, the originator of the estate, was granted the title of “royal wine broker” when the winery came into being. The estate passed on to his children and grandchildren but eventually left the family—until 2003. Grand dame May de Lencquesaing recovered her family’s old estate at the age of 73 and set about revitalizing the vineyards. Thus, the new Glenelly Estate was born.

Store your unopened bottle in a cool, dry, and dark place safe from constant vibration. Keep your bottle horizontal in a wine rack or cellar to retain the moistness of the cork. The ideal temperature for storage is between 7 to 15°C. Once opened, a bottle will be good for 3 to 5 days standing upright in the refrigerator.