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The
wines of Chamonix,
Franschoek, South Africa
PO Box 28, Vityk Street, Franschoek 7690, South Africa
Website: www.chamonix.co.za
UK agent: South African Wine Imports (Tel: 020 7234 0077)
Chamonix is a substantial 300 ha estate in the trendy
Franschoek valley of the Western Cape. Only a short drive from the
better-known Stellenbosch region, the pulling power of Franschoek lies
in its pretty setting and the fact that it’s emerging as the
culinary capital of the winelands, with a good spread of high-end
eateries.
These wines were presented by Gottfried Mocke, who has been
winemaker here for the last two years. Quality is very good, with the
distinctive Chardonnays the stand-out wines.
Chamonix Chardonnay 2000 Franschoek
80% new French oak. Served a little cold, this is a rich, intense
nutty, toasty Chardonnay. Lots of new oak but it integrates well with
the rich, dense fruit. An impressive savoury style. Very
good/excellent
Chamonix Chardonnay 1999 Franschoek
Lots of character. Quite taut and toasty – a rich savoury
expression of Chardonnay. Very good/excellent
Chamonix Chardonnay Reserve 1998 Franschoek
Unusual but nice. Golden colour. Expressive bready, nutty nose is
quite intense. Creamy and quite evolved with some vanilla fudge notes.
Evolved rich, toasty, nutty palate. Lots of character here. Very
good/excellent
Chamonix Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2001 Franschoek
Aged in old barrels for 11 months. Vivid herby nose leads to a
richly flavoured palate with nutty, herby fruit and a spicy edge. Very
good
Chamonix Pinotage 2001 Franschoek
An attractive take on Pinotage. Rich style with sweet herby berry
fruit. There’s a slightly cheesy Pinotage character on the finish.
Very good
Chamonix Pinot Noir 2002 Franschoek
Quite a forward sweet herbal nose with a medicinal note. The
palate is dense, spicy and herby. Lots of flavour but a slight
herbaceousness on the finish. Very good
Chamonix Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 Franschoek
Lovely chalky edge to the classy berry fruit. Quite elegant.
Really appealing concentrated palate which shows dense ripe berry
fruit with chalky tannins and good acid. An elegant style. Very
good/excellent
see
also: Jamie Goode's guide to South
African wines
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