Raised in 50% new French oak for around 8 months, the 2009 Chardonnay has light, innocuous honeyed tones on the nose. The palate is quite buttery on the entry and rounded in texture, whilst there are notes of yellow plum and tropical fruit towards the finish. It is a decent, standard South African Chardonnay. Drink now-2013. I must confess that I was a little disappointed with the selection from this Paarl estate. Whilst the whites are satisfactory, especially their keenly priced Chenin Blanc, the reds exhibited excessive and poorly handled oak that denied the wines of freshness and personality.Importer: Frank Wildman & Sons, New York, NY; tel. (212) 230-0906