After a blind tasting this morning, the RECM SA Queen of Value Chardonnays are

Daisy Darling unwooded Chardonnay 2013 score 16.30 price R30.00 value R141.21
Obikwa Chardonnay 2013 score 15.30 price R30.00 value R80.15
Drosty Hof Winemaker’s Collection Chardonnay 2013 score 15.90 price R37.95 value R100.62
Kaapzicht Chardonnay 2009 score 16.50 price R74.00 value R180.21
Alvi’s Drift Chardonnay 2012 score 16.50 price R77.50 value R175.80
Riebeek Cellars Chardonnay 2013 score 15.10 price R35.00 value R71.67

Congratulations to Cloof in Darling and Distell who have two brands in our value six pack. Once again Alvi van der Merwe is in the pack confirming Worcester as a Value Appellation while the Riebeek Cellars Chardonnay 2013 must be the best value white from the Swartland.

The tasting was a celebration for taster Tom Magara (below) as he was just informed he’s fulfilled the requirements for a Masters in Commerce at UCT in economics. How fitting! Forget about Black Diamonds, Tom is a dinkum SA Wine Diamond^TM.

The traditional result, sorted by absolute score, is quite different

Kaapzicht Chardonnay 2009 R74.00 16.50
Alvi’s Drift Chardonnay 2012 R77.50 16.50
Jordan Barrel fermented Chardonnay 2013 R112.00 16.50
La Motte Chardonnay 2011 R110.00 16.40
Daisy Darling unwooded Chardonnay 2013 R30.00 16.30
Graham Beck the Game Reserve Chardonnay 2013 R75.00 16.30