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.
The Clay Shales Chardonnay is a single-vineyard wine from a site on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge that is ideally located in a mountain shadow, at high altitude and near the ocean. The wine is named after the Bokkeveld shale and clay soils on which it is grown, which combine to provide the perfect base for a balanced, Grand Cru-rivaling wine.
Provenance
Producer
Critics Ratings
‘Lots of lasting vibrancy on the nose that is intact and complex. Lemon, flint, salted butter. The palate has a sweet core of fruit – generous, creamy and superbly balanced. Lots of further life and promise to this, although it’s gorgeous now. ‘ - Higgo Jacobs (Feb 2022)
Full and broad flagship white, 2016 citrus peel, apple blossom, vanilla and wet stone aromas and flavours; well-judged oak; crème brûlée and ginger conclusion. Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge fruit, bunch pressed/aged 2,600L foudre. Structured to reward the patient, as was 2015 (92 pts) from Overberg.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2018, 4.5* (93/100)
‘One of a number of outstanding Chardonnays produced on the Hemel en Aarde Ridge, albeit from youngish vines, this foudre-aged white is a revelation in 2016. Rich, spicy and compact, showing understated oak, some baking spices and impressive palate length. 2018-25.’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2017, 96/100
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