Crystallum Clay Shales Chardonnay 2022

Instantly impressive in the glass, the 2022 Clay Shales Chardonnay opens with classic Chardonnay aromas of yellow apple and Meyer lemon that burst with a bright, floral essence and hints of wax melon. Medium-bodied and with 13.5% alcohol, the mouthfeel has a delicate mineral tension with succulent acidity. Lingering flavors of lemon pastry cream persist over the long, spicy finish. It's a fantastic Chardonnay that spent 10 months in all French oak, 20% new. Only 4,680 bottles were produced. Chardonnay lovers should seek out this beautiful bottling.

As its name suggests, this superb Chardonnay comes from a vineyard that is rich in clay, making it a very good bet in drier vintages. Produced from just 0.5 hectares on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, it's bright, salty, leesy and judiciously oaked, with the kind of precision and palate length that wouldn't look out of place in Puligny-Montrachet. Drink 2021-26.

The 2019 Clay Shales was whole-bunch-pressed and matured for 10 months in foudre and 500-liter barrels. It has a clean, precise bouquet revealing traces of red apples and a hint of quince. The palate is well balanced with more weight and density than The Agnes, a lovely saline note emerging toward the finish. Grippy and pithy, displaying superb persistency and poise Drink 2022-35.

Winning nose. Creamy and very attractive and well integrated already. Great texture and freshness. Spice and green fruit. Complex and very satisfying.