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Richard Kershaw Wines Clonal Selection Elgin Chardonnay 2018
Richard Kershaw Wines Clonal Selection Elgin Chardonnay 2018
- Grapes Chardonnay 100%
- Country South Africa
- Region: Western Cape Elgin
- Abv 13 %
- Dry/Sweet value: 1 (1 is dry, 7 is very sweet)
Residual Sugar: 2.9
Contains Sulphites: Yes
Vegetarian/Vegan: Yes/Yes
Milk/Eggs: No/No
Organic: No
Biodynamic: No - Case size 6 / 75cl
- Winemaker Richard Kershaw MW
- Closure Diam
- A restrained, mineral style focused on elegance with a white fruit character, a touch of oatmeal, and delicate oak spice notes. Below-average winter rainfall resulted in drier soils, and as a result, the crop sizes were smaller, as less groundwater was available for the tap roots. During flowering, wet, cool, and windy weather meant less fruit was pollinated; Chardonnay was down to 18 hl/ha. However, the smaller berries delivered high aromatic intensity. During the vegetative period, the days were warm but without damaging heat waves, and the growing season was cool, resulting in fruit with excellent balance.
- Awards
92 pts, Tim Atkin, 2019
The grapes were hand-picked in the early autumnal mornings and gently pressed up to a maximum of 0.6 bar until a low juice recovery of 615 litres per tonne was obtained. The juice was transferred via gravity directly to the barrel without using pumps. The unclarified juice underwent spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts. The malolactic conversion was discouraged, retaining a crisp style. The wine matured in Burgundian French oak for 11 months in total, of which 39.4% was new oak, and of that, 82.2% was aged in 228-litre barriques and 17.8% in 500-litre casks before racking, blending and bottling.
A restrained, mineral style focussed on elegance with a white fruit character, a touch of oatmeal and delicate oak spice notes.
Price | £229.79 |
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Country | South Africa |
Vintage | 2018 |
Bottles Per Case | 6 |
Bottle Size | 75 |
2 cases 10% off | No |
Winery | The grapes come from eight to 10 small parcels of vineyards in several locations in the Elgin Valley. Elgin is the coolest wine region in South Africa and is situated on an inland, hexagonal-shaped plateau at an altitude of 300 meters. Mountains surround the region and lies just over six miles from the Atlantic Ocean, which brings occasional sea-borne mists. February is the hottest month of the year, with daytime temperatures peaking at 23C and night-time temperatures dipping to 14C. The benefit of this cooler climate is that the grape cluster stays connected to its roots for longer, so it develops complex characteristics and achieves physiological ripeness more gradually, resulting in lower sugar levels and, consequently, lower alcohol levels. The four Dijon clones VY, 76, 95, and 96 and the Entav clone CY548 flourish in Bokkeveld Shale and Cartref soils, which offer good drainage and produce delicate wines. |