Provenance

Private Client

Critics Ratings

2016:
‘Fine single-vineyard wine beautifully composed in classic style. 2016 pure, expressive lime intensity, underlying nutty richness harmonised, endlessly lengthened by savoury tension. Oak enhanced, 5% new. Texture, structure & balance ensure future pleasure.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2019, 5* (95/100)

‘Grapes picked in four or five batches over 10 days for extra complexity and balance. Juiced treated oxidatively before spontaneous fermentation and maturation lasting 11 months in French oak, only 5% new. A subtle and elusive nose – not very much primary fruit in evidence but some lemon and white peach if you use your imagination while there’s also an appealing biscuit-like quality plus both some flintiness and earthiness. The palate is lean, fresh with a very long, salty finish. A triumph of understatement and now starting to take its place among the Cape’s best. Alcohol: 13.1%’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 94/100 (Oct 2018)

‘Is this the most Burgundian of Cape Chardonnays? It certainly wouldn’t look out place in a line up of Corton-Charlemagnes. Barrel-fermented in 5% new wood, with some malolactic in 2016 (unusual for Craig Wessels), it’s a crunchy, pithy, citrus-edged wine with flinty, smoky, grapefruit and oatmeal flavours and a remarkably long finish. 2018-25’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2017, 96/100

2017:
‘Five pickings from a single-vineyard, natural ferment in oak, aged in a mix of barrel, amphora, and stainless steel. 2017 has thrilling tension, purity and complexity in spice-edged, ripe lime flavours. Texture is as important; density and fine grip will ensure a long lifespan.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2020, 5* (97/100)

‘Craig Wessels picks this two-hectare block in five stages to achieve maximum balance and complexity. Large barrel and amphora-fermented, it’s a stunning, elegantly refined Chardonnay with understated oak, some cinnamon spice, good texture and a fresh, citrus peel finish. One of the Cape’s best Chardonnays.’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2018, 96/100

2018:
‘Selective pickings of Chardonnay single-vineyard, natural ferment/maturation in oak, 5% amphora sur lie, stainless steel, deliver usual riveting tension, ripe lime, spice complexity in 2018. Increased texture, fine-grained density yield to breathtaking flinty, limy persistence.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2021, 5* (97/100)

'Much riper nose than the 2017 and altogether a much better balanced wine whose high acidity is nicely balanced by almost balletic slimline fruit. Not an ounce of fat on this wine but you could drink it already – and it should age well.' - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 16+/20 (Nov 2020)

‘"It's not the winemaker," says Craig Wessels, "I've just got great sites." His vineyards are certainly first class, but I think the man is being too modest here. Consistently one of the New World's best Chardonnays, this is complex, balanced and judiciously wooded with 10% amphorae-fermented juice adding some va-va-voom. 2019-27.’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2019, 96/100

Notes

Please take note of the 2019 label condition, the label is torn and scuffed - as per the image.