Crystallum Wines, Newton Johnson Vineyards and Storm Wines
Live Virtual Auction, 3 April 2022
Session 1
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
About this Item
Based in the Walker Bay region of South Africa, Crystallum is run by brothers Peter-Allan and Andrew Finlayson, 3rd-generation winemakers who focus on Burgundy varieties. Within only a little over 15 years (interestingly the first vintage was a singular Sauvignon in 2007!) this outfit has positioned itself as one of the top proponents of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in South Africa. Awards locally and internationally are in fact unrivalled, and the wines are sold out every year on release.
Mabalel is named after a poem by the legendary South African polymath Eugene Marais, which tells the story of a local chieftain’s daughter of the same name who was ambushed while fetching water from the Limpopo river by the crocodile, Lalele. The vineyard is planted on ‘Kaaimansgat’ farm - meaning Crocodile’s lair - and a river flows past the vineyard. The site is 700m high and surrounded by dramatic mountains, with peaks that are are often snow-capped in winter.
Provenance
Producer
Critics Ratings
‘Steely, flinty intro promising freshness to come. Cranberry, strawberry and plums with a complimenting barnyard and smoked meat layer. Steely and grippy, this is the most youthful of the 2016 Pinots. ‘ - Higgo Jacobs (Feb 2022)
'Sourced from a single, high altitude site in the Overberg (Elandskloof), where Peter-Allan Finlayson also sources some of his Chardonnay from, this is elegant, delicate and flora, with racy acidity, fine tannins and a core of succulent fruit sweetness. 2018-24.’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2017, 95/100
‘4th vintage from high-lying inland Elandskloof vineyard, 2016 continues in form of poised and elegant predecessors with raspberry and cherry fruit, cappuccino and earth hints perfectly balanced by fine tannins and creamy oak. Only 10% whole bunch, lowest of all the Pinots.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2018, 4.5* (93/100)
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