Crystallum Clay Shales Chardonnay 2022

Crystallum Clay Shales Chardonnay 2022

 

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Crystallum
Clay Shales Chardonnay 2022
  • Vintage : 2022
  • Country : South Africa
  • Region : Walker Bay
  • Subregion
  • Type : White
  • Style : Creamy Full Bodied White
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 13,5°
  • Grappes : 100% Chardonnay

Experts Score Vintage
RP Robert Parker 92 2022
TA Tim Atkin 96 2019
VN Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 93 2019
JR Jancis Robinson 17 2015
More information on wine critics and ratings
Classic flint on the nose with floral, lemon, pear and peach notes. The palate is beautifully balanced with a lovely play between a fruit core and steely backbone. A saline element and succulent, juicy texture add to the complexity of this intriguing wine.

"The finest debut South African Chardonnay and Pinot Noir pair"

They are situated in the cool Walker Bay region, on South Africa's south coast around the town of Hermanus in the Hemel en Aarde valley.

Production at Crystallum is tiny at the moment. The brother's focus on sustainability runs from the vineyard through to the winery. A new straw bale winery is being built using recycled steel, clay and stone from the property and straw bales from a farm just up the road. They have also used a recycled paper and clay mix for plastering the walls, creating an entirely natural wall that should provide a constant, cool and naturally regulated environment for the wines.

Recently lauded by wine critic Matthew Jukes as "the finest debut South African Chardonnay and Pinot Noir pair" that he has ever tasted, these wines are going from strength to strength and are fast gaining a reputation for their superb quality.

Robert Parker (RP) : 92 Points (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.

Tim Atkin (TA) : 96 Points (2019)
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.

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) (VN) : 93 Points (2019)
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.

Jancis Robinson (JR) : 17 Points (2015)
Winning nose. Creamy and very attractive and well integrated already. Great texture and freshness. Spice and green fruit. Complex and very satisfying.

Crystallum Peter Max Pinot Noir 2022
Crystallum Peter Max Pinot Noir 2022
Crystallum
Peter Max Pinot Noir 2022
VN
92
TA
93
W&S
90
Crystallum Peter Max Pinot Noir  is not only a testament to South Africa's burgeoning reputation in the world of fine wines but also a symbol of the intricate art of winemaking.
35,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Crystallum The Agnes Chardonnay 2022
Crystallum The Agnes Chardonnay 2022
Crystallum
The Agnes Chardonnay 2022
VN
92
TA
93
W&S
90
The sixth vintage of The Agnes is concentrated and beautifully balanced. The nose is wonderfully expressive with notes of lime, grapefruit, nectarine and ripe peach. The palate is intense and layered…
30,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Crystallum Bona Fide Pinot Noir 2022
Crystallum Bona Fide Pinot Noir 2022
Crystallum
Bona Fide Pinot Noir 2022
RP
93
Darker and more intense than any other Crystallum Pinot. The heavy soils create stress for the vines resulting in a wine of great concentration and flavour while maintaining freshness and elegance…
46,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Crystallum Cuvée Cinema Pinot Noir 2022
Crystallum Cuvée Cinema Pinot Noir 2022
Crystallum
Cuvée Cinema Pinot Noir 2022
RP
95
VN
93
TA
95
Crystallum Cuvée Cinema Pinot Noir is a distinguished and luxurious wine, reflecting the unique terroir of South Africa's Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. It is an exquisite choice for connoisseurs and collectors alike
46,50 €
Quantity : moins plus
Crystallum Mabalel Elandskloof Pinot Noir 2022
Crystallum Mabalel Elandskloof Pinot Noir 2022
Crystallum
Mabalel Elandskloof Pinot Noir 2022
VN
91
TA
95
RP
91
Lighter and more feminine than the other Crystallum Pinot Noirs. Dried flower petals, violets and bright cherry notes lead to an elegant and refined palate with very fine tannins and a fresh finish.
46,50 €
Quantity : moins plus
Wine regions guide
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