Crocodile's Lair Chardonnay

This Chardonnay pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes. Its richness complements mild tandoori salmon accompanied by coriander chutney. Alternatively, consider serving it with a leafy herb salad drizzled with miso dressing or a classic avocado ritz.

The grapes for this wine are sourced from the Kaaimansgat (Crocodile's Lair) vineyard, nestled in the Elandskloof Valley behind Villiersdorp, approximately 80 km from Hermanus. Situated at an elevation of 700 meters above sea level, this vineyard benefits from cool autumn temperatures, allowing the grapes to ripen a month later than other Cape Chardonnays. Bouchard Finlayson has been associated with this vineyard for over thirty vintages.

The wine was matured in French oak barrels for seven months, with 21% of the barrels being new oak. This ageing process imparts subtle oak nuances without overpowering the wine's fruit character.

The 2024 vintage underwent fermentation in French oak barrels, with a gradual shift to larger 350L barrels to enhance fruit purity and slightly restrain the wine's development. No battonage (lees stirring) was practiced, although the wine remained on fermentation lees until the barrels were emptied and blended. This approach contributes to the wine's complexity and texture.

One of South Africa’s most awarded boutique wine estates lies in a scenic valley just an hour and a half from Cape Town called Hemel-en-Aarde or Heaven-and-Earth. Framed by great fold mountains and breath-taking ocean views it is one of the coolest wine-making regions in the Cape with duplex soil structures and sun-facing slopes. The promise of the unique terroir is harnessed by winemaker Chris Albrecht in slow-ripened flavour-rich wines of exceptional quality. Bouchard Finlayson is globally acclaimed for producing the best Pinot Noir in South Africa as well as exceptional Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blancs. The vineyards are surrounded by an indigenous floral conservancy alive with birdsong and wildflowers. Beyond the beauty of the farm itself you can discover the enchantments of the local area. Some of the popular attractions of nearby Hermanus include whale-watching; shark-cage diving; mountain hiking or biking; browsing art antiques and shops; and of course the white sandy beaches.