Hazendal Prestige Brut Cap Classique 2017

Immediately attractive with a punchy label designed by South African artist Athi-Patra Ruga, the first in the Stellenbosch estate’s ‘limited-edition artist series’. The vibrant packaging hints to the bottle’s energetic contents. An intense, charged nose of lemon blossom, lime, caramelised ginger spooling into butter and biscuits from seven years on the lees. From chardonnay, and 38%  pinot noir, the latter adding brushstrokes of red apple, plum skin to the aromatic tones. The palate is fresh, focused and beautifully dry; disgorged in 2024 with zero dosage, the long-lees ageing imbues all the necessary richness, as well as shapes a fine, well-integrated bubble. Tapering to a bone-dry, precise finish, a rush of clementine, citrus fruit resonates in its echo. Fresh, with plenty more tertiary development to come, this will age gracefully for a number of years.