2022 Clay Shales Chardonnay, Crystallum, Walker Bay

2022 Clay Shales Chardonnay, Crystallum, Walker Bay

From a vineyard on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, at high altitude, on shale soils, in the shadow of a mountain. The resulting wine is restrained and delicate, with notes of greengage and green pineapple, balanced with thyme and oatmeal, and a finish that is intensely mineral. The power builds here, making a wine that's incredibly complex and intense.

Critic score
96/100 info

This wine is now sold out. Please get in touch with your advisor or one of our team on [email protected] or 01473 313 300 for more information or guidance on an alternative.

Wine details

  • Region & country
    South Africa
  • Maturity
    Ready 2023 - 2033info
  • Colour
    White
  • Sweetness
    Dry
  • Style
    Still
  • Unit Volume
    Bottle (75cl.)
  • ABV
    13.5%

Tasting notes

Clay Shales deserves its reputation as one of the Cape's best Chardonnays, a wine that has developed a symbiotic relationship with the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. Easy to make, according to Peter-Allan Finlayson, it's a complex, energetic, full malolactic style with nuanced oak, cashew and lemon butter flavours and a tapering finish. 2023-28

Tim Atkin MW, timatkin.com (September 2023)
96/100

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