Crystallum Clay Shales Chardonnay 2024

Grape Varietals & Region: 100% Chardonnay comes from a single vineyard site on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge that is ideally located in a mountain shadow, at high altitude and near the ocean.

The wine is named after the Bokkeveld shale and clay soils on which it is grown, which combine to provide the perfect base for a balanced, Grand Cru-rivaling wine.

Taste Profile: Complex and arresting, this vintage melds the freshness of grapefruit and white pear with the richness and depth of banoffee pie. The palate is textured and pithy, showing salted macadamia and oatmeal beside lemon peel. A generous expression of the single vineyard site, but with the fruit and acidity to age.

Winemaking Process: Whole-bunch pressed with no enzymes, SO2 or commercial yeasts added at pressing. After an overnight rough-settling, the juice was sent to barrel, with fermentation and ageing taking place over 10 months in a 2600L Foudre.