Crystallum - Chardonnay Clay Shales 2022

Crystallum is a family-run and privately-owned winery based in the Walker Bay region of South Africa.

Brothers Andrew and Peter-Allan are the third generation of Finlayson winemakers and sons of the man who pioneered Pinot Noir winemaking in the Hemel-en-Aarde region. Andrew is an architect by training and Peter-Allan a student of philosophy and economics, but it didn’t take long for the lure of wine to take effect, with Andrew drawn to the vineyards and Peter-Allan to the cellar.

The company was founded in 2007 when it produced just over four thousand bottles of Sauvignon Blanc. The following vintage saw the introduction of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and Crystallum now produces these Burgundian varieties exclusively, making up its collection with multi-vineyard blends and single-vineyard wines.

Deeply concentrated and yet so deftly restrained, this vintage shows the tropical notes of lychee and banana, a savouriness from lemon thyme and oatmeal and steely spine of crushed stone. The tension alongside a citrus peel-textured acidity makes for a mouth-watering and seemingly endless finish. With plenty of structure to age, this promised to be a standout expression of the wine.

"Powerful, creamy and nutty in character there are notes of tropical fruits, lemon zest, subtle herbal twists and a long, crushed stone-driven finish. An impressive and weighty wine which retains great poise. Brothers Peter-Allan and Andrew Finlayson set up the winery in 2007 with Clay Shales produced from grapes grown in the Ridge wine ward at 300m. Whole-bunch pressed, and matured for 10 months in 500L French and Austrian barrels." - 95 Points, Decanter

"The 2022 Clay Shales includes fruit from vines planted in 2016, so production this year has expanded compared to previous vintages. This has a pretty bouquet with pressed white flowers, nectarine, and white peach and honeysuckle touches. The palate is well-balanced with fine grip, impressive structure and depth, more powerful than the Ferrum with a persistent finish. This is a great Chardonnay that should age well in bottle." - 93 Points, Vinous

Producer: Crystallum

Country: South Africa

Region: Cape South Coast

Varietal: Chardonnay 

Appellation: Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

Vintage: 2022

Size: 750ml