Crystallum Clay Shales Chardonnay 2023

Region and Vineyards

The Clay Shales Chardonnay is produced from a single vineyard located in the Hemel-en-Aarde region, nestled in the mountains behind the town of Hermanus in Walker Bay, South Africa. The vineyard, sitting at 300 meters above sea level, benefits from the cooling breezes of the Atlantic Ocean, which help slow the ripening process. This results in grapes with concentrated flavors and vibrant acidity, essential for producing high-quality Chardonnay.

The vineyard’s name, Clay Shales, is derived from its unique soil composition of clay and shale, which naturally restricts vine vigor, leading to low yields but highly concentrated fruit. This terroir, combined with the altitude and moderate climate, allows the Chardonnay grapes to develop rich, complex flavors while retaining fresh acidity, making this wine a true reflection of its environment.

Winemaking

The Clay Shales Chardonnay was crafted using gentle and traditional winemaking techniques to preserve the purity and intensity of the fruit. The grapes were hand-harvested and gently pressed as whole clusters, ensuring minimal oxidation and extracting clear juice. After a brief settling period, the juice was transferred to 500-litre French and Austrian oak barrels (25% new), where fermentation occurred naturally with indigenous yeasts.

The wine was aged on its lees for 10 months, gaining textural complexity and depth. No filtration or cold stabilization was used before bottling, allowing the wine to retain its full character and intensity. This careful winemaking approach results in a Chardonnay that is both elegant and expressive, with a balance between fruit and oak that enhances its ability to age.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Pale gold with a bright clarity.
• Aroma: Expressive notes of white pear and banoffee pie offer a rich and inviting bouquet, with subtle hints of toast and vanilla from the oak aging.
• Palate: The wine is richly textured, with flavors of lemon peel, salted macadamia, and oatmeal. The acidity is vibrant, providing freshness to the generous palate, with a long, lingering finish.

Did you know?

The Clay Shales vineyard, with its unique combination of clay and shale soils, naturally limits the vigor of the vines, ensuring that the Chardonnay grapes are concentrated in flavor and able to express the nuances of their terroir. This single-vineyard wine is a testament to the Finlaysons' dedication to producing terroir-driven wines that reflect the characteristics of their environment.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Grilled lobster with lemon butter: The richness of the lobster is complemented by the wine’s texture and vibrant acidity, while the lemon butter echoes the citrus notes in the wine.
• Butternut squash risotto: The creamy texture of the risotto is a perfect match for the wine’s lees-aged complexity, with the wine’s acidity cutting through the richness.
• Roast chicken with herbs and garlic: The savory herbs and succulent chicken pair beautifully with the Chardonnay’s depth and subtle oak notes.
• Goat cheese tart: The tangy creaminess of the goat cheese is balanced by the wine’s fresh acidity and rich fruit profile.

History of Crystallum Estate

Crystallum was founded in 2007 by brothers Peter-Allan and Andrew Finlayson, who hail from a family deeply rooted in the South African wine industry. Their father, Peter Finlayson, was a pioneer in the production of cool-climate wines in South Africa, particularly at Bouchard Finlayson, where he established a reputation for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Following in their father’s footsteps, Peter-Allan and Andrew ventured into winemaking after university, sourcing fruit from some of the most prestigious vineyards in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley.

From humble beginnings, Crystallum quickly gained recognition for producing world-class wines. Peter-Allan Finlayson, who has since taken on the role of head winemaker, has been instrumental in evolving the winery’s style. His focus has always been on minimal intervention and allowing the vineyard’s natural character to shine through in every bottle. Today, Crystallum is one of South Africa’s most highly regarded boutique wineries, exporting its wines to wine lovers and collectors around the world.

Region and Vineyards

Crystallum’s wines are primarily sourced from the Hemel-en-Aarde region, a part of South Africa’s Cape South Coast that is renowned for its cool, maritime climate. This region is ideal for growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, which moderates the temperature and extends the grape ripening period.

The vineyards are located on a mix of clay, shale, and quartz soils, each of which contributes to the complexity and structure of the wines. The Clay Shales vineyard, a single-vineyard site used for one of Crystallum’s most famous Chardonnays, sits at an altitude of 300 meters, benefiting from cooling sea breezes that preserve the freshness and natural acidity in the grapes. The careful selection of vineyard sites ensures that Crystallum’s wines are both expressive of their terroir and structured for ageing.

Wine Range

Crystallum is best known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The winery produces several single-vineyard wines, each showcasing the unique characteristics of their respective sites. Among their standout wines are:

• Clay Shales Chardonnay: A single-vineyard Chardonnay known for its rich texture and vibrant acidity, reflecting the influence of the clay and shale soils in which the vines are grown.
• Cuvée Cinéma Pinot Noir: Sourced from a high-altitude vineyard, this Pinot Noir is renowned for its bright red fruit, savory complexity, and fine tannic structure.
• Bona Fide Pinot Noir: A delicate, refined Pinot Noir with savory and earthy notes, balanced by bright fruit and a persistent finish.
• Peter Max Pinot Noir: A vibrant and fruit-driven wine with a fine balance between acidity and tannin, representing the cool-climate style of the Hemel-en-Aarde region.

All Crystallum wines are fermented using indigenous yeasts and aged in French oak barrels, with a focus on subtle oak influence to allow the natural fruit expression to shine through.

Did you know?

Crystallum’s winemaker, Peter-Allan Finlayson, is part of one of South Africa’s most illustrious wine families. His father, Peter Finlayson, was the first winemaker in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, making him a trailblazer in the production of cool-climate wines in South Africa. Peter-Allan and Andrew’s decision to follow in their father’s footsteps while carving their own identity with Crystallum has been widely praised in the wine world.