Crystallum The Agnes Chardonnay 2023

Region and Vineyards

The Crystallum "The Agnes" Chardonnay hails from Hemel-en-Aarde and Overberg, two premium regions on the Cape South Coast of South Africa. These regions benefit from the cooling influence of the Atlantic Ocean, which provides ideal growing conditions for cool-climate varietals like Chardonnay. The vineyards are spread across varied terroirs, ranging from heavy clay soils to shale, sandstone, and quartz, each contributing to the wine's complexity.

Hemel-en-Aarde, meaning "Heaven and Earth," is celebrated for its Burgundian-style Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, thanks to its cool maritime climate. Overberg, with its diverse soil types, adds another layer of distinction to the wine, enhancing its minerality and structure. These combined elements result in a wine that is a true reflection of its terroir, blending bright fruit with a mineral core.

Winemaking

Crystallum The Agnes Chardonnay is made from 100% Chardonnay, with fruit carefully selected from multiple vineyards. The winemaking approach is traditional yet focused on preserving the purity of the fruit. Whole clusters are transferred directly into the press, allowing the juice to run off into a settling tank. After settling overnight, the wine is transferred to French oak barrels, of which only 10% are new, ensuring subtle oak influence without overpowering the fruit.

Fermentation occurs naturally with indigenous yeasts, which help retain the wine's unique character. The wine is aged for ten months in a combination of 228-litre and 500-litre barrels, developing complexity while maintaining freshness.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Pale straw with bright, reflective hues.
• Aroma: An expressive bouquet of pineapple, lemon peel, and hints of butterscotch interwoven with notes of oatmeal.
• Palate: Zesty and lively on the palate, featuring vibrant flavors of lime, quince, and pear, balanced by a creamy texture from the oak ageing. The wine finishes with a distinct saline minerality, contributing to its refreshing and long-lasting finish.

Did you know?

The wine is named after Agnes May Finlayson, the great-grandmother of Peter-Allan and Andrew Finlayson, who co-founded Crystallum in 2007. She was a pivotal figure in the family’s legacy, providing inspiration for the brothers to carry on their father Peter Finlayson’s pioneering work in crafting world-class cool-climate wines in South Africa.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Lemon butter sole: The zesty acidity and saline finish of the Chardonnay complement the buttery richness of the fish, creating a harmonious pairing.
• Risotto with wild mushrooms: The wine's creamy texture and oak nuances meld beautifully with the earthy flavors of the mushrooms, enhancing the dish's depth.
• Goat cheese tart: The vibrant fruit notes and refreshing acidity cut through the richness of the cheese, balancing the dish perfectly.
• Roast chicken with thyme and lemon: The wine's citrus and mineral elements complement the roasted chicken and herbs, providing a refreshing contrast to the savory flavors.

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.