Babylonstoren, ‘Candide’, 2024, Western Cape (WO)

'One-Liner'
A bright, quietly textured Cape white, blending tropical fruit and citrus with floral lift, fresh acidity and a smooth, gently waxy finish.

Tasting Note
Pale lemon in colour, with lifted aromas of pineapple, melon and honeysuckle sharpened by fresh lemon and lime zest. The palate is dry and medium-bodied, balancing juicy tropical fruit with crisp acidity and a smooth, lightly waxy texture. Gentle orchard-fruit richness rounds the middle before a clean, citrus-bright and wonderfully refreshing finish.

Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape WO
Sub-Region: Simonsberg-Paarl
Grape(s): 33% Chardonnay, 26% Chenin Blanc, 25% Sémillon, 16% Viognier
ABV: 13%
Friendly: Vegan, Vegetarian

Awards & Critics' Scores
93 Points & Silver Medal – Decanter World Wine Awards

The Story
Dating back to 1692, Babylonstoren is one of the Cape’s oldest farms, set beneath the Simonsberg at the meeting point of Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Paarl. Candide gathers the estate’s white varieties into a single harmonious blend, with Chardonnay bringing breadth, Chenin Blanc and Sémillon providing freshness and gentle waxiness, and Viognier adding an aromatic floral lift. The different parcels are handled separately in a mixture of seasoned French oak, stainless steel, concrete eggs and terracotta before resting on their lees and being brought together – giving the wine more shape and complexity than a simple summer white without losing its lively citrus character.

Perfect With... (click me for the recipe)
- Meat/fish: Lemon-herb roast chicken with new potatoes
- Vegetarian: Peach, burrata and basil salad with toasted almonds
- Vegan: Courgette, broad bean and lemon orzo with herbs