Waterford 2016 Cape Winemakers Guild 1988 Kept Aside Chardonnay (Stellenbosch)

92 Points

Winemaker: Kevin Arnold. Bright, clean aromas of cinnamon-dusted yellow apple, dried orange peel and a touch of honeydew unfold on the nose of this rich yet well-balanced Chardonnay. There's a pleasant creaminess to the medium-weight mouthfeel, though it's not overly fat or flat, enlivened by ample acidity and forward, lingering notes of baked apple and peach pit on the finish. Drink 2019–2022.

Price

N/A, Buy Now
Designation

Cape Winemakers Guild 1988 Kept Aside
Variety

Chardonnay
Appellation

Stellenbosch, South Africa
Winery

Waterford

Print a Shelf Talker Label

Alcohol

12.44%
Bottle Size

750 ml
Category

White
Importer

1_Not Imported into US
Date Published

9/1/2017
User Avg Rating

Not rated yet [Add Your Review]

Lauren Buzzeo

@laurbuzz

Managing Editor

Reviews wines from South Africa and Languedoc-Roussillon. Reviews beers.

Buzzeo joined Wine Enthusiast Magazine in 2006 as a tasting coordinator, and eventually became Tasting Director and Senior Editor, previously responsible for overseeing all aspects of the tasting and review program. Most recently, Buzzeo assumed the role of Managing Editor. Since coming to Wine Enthusiast, she has made it one of her personal missions to promote the acceptance of cross-drinking, encouraging everyone to embrace finely crafted libations across all beverage categories. Buzzeo is also an avid homebrewer and a member of the AHA (American Homebrewers Association). Email: lbuzzeo@wineenthusiast.net.

More Reviews by Lauren, The Wine Enthusiast Tasting Panel

About the Wine Enthusiast Buying Guide

Tasting Methodology and Goals

All tastings reported in the Buying Guide are performed blind. Typically, products are tasted in peer-group flights of from 5–8 samples. Reviewers may know general information about a flight to provide context—vintage, variety or appellation—but never the producer or retail price of any given selection. When possible, products considered flawed or uncustomary are retasted.

About the Scores

Ratings reflect what our editors felt about a particular product. Beyond the rating, we encourage you to read the accompanying tasting note to learn about a product’s special characteristics.

- 98–100
- Classic
- The pinnacle of quality.
- 94–97
- Superb
- A great achievement.
- 90–93
- Excellent
- Highly recommended.
- 87–89
- Very Good
- Often good value; well recommended.
- 83–86
- Good
- Suitable for everyday consumption; often good value.
- 80–82
- Acceptable
- Can be employed in casual, less-critical circumstances.

Products deemed Unacceptable (receiving a rating below 80 points) are not reviewed.

expand for more

Special Designations

Editors' Choice wines are those that offer excellent quality at a price above our Best Buy range, or a wine at any price with unique qualities that merit special attention.

Cellar Selections are wines deemed highly collectible and/or requiring time in a temperature-controlled wine cellar to reach their maximum potential. A Cellar Selection designation does not mean that a wine must be stored to be enjoyed, but that cellaring will probably result in a more enjoyable bottle. In general, an optimum time for cellaring will be indicated.

Best Buys are wines that offer a high level of quality in relation to price. There are no specific guidelines or formulae for determining Best Buys, but they are generally priced at $15 or less.

For the Trade

How to Submit Wines for Review

Wine Enthusiast Magazine tastes, rates and reviews wines, spirits and beers for publication in our Buying Guide, both in print and online. If you are interested in submitting samples for review and publication, please click here.

User Reviews