We have put a few wines from South Africa in the club over the years, but this is the first from South Africa’s undisputed top wine growing region, Stellenbosch. Located In the foothills of the Hottentots Holland Mountains just outside the city of Cape Town and close to the cooling waters of False Bay, it has a large variety of soils and micro-climates, which explains why so many varieties are grown here: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Syrah/Shiraz, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Noir and more. Wine maker David Finlayson is the third generation of his family to make wines in the Western Cape region, garnering a plethora of awards, especially for his Chardonnays at the family’s former Glen Carlou winery. Hand harvested from four different sustainably farmed vineyards from coastal, mountain and valley floor sites in Stellenbosch that form a representative sample of the region's soils and microclimates, the Chardonnay grapes are blended with 5% Chenin Blanc and aged for eight months in 15% new French oak barrels. The result has aromas of lemon verbena, orange pith, nectarine and gravel, with flavors of tropical fruits on the finish. Creamy pasta with grilled chicken breast and caesar salad would be an ideal partner.