- 100% Chardonnay
- 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
- Whole-bunch pressed with no enzymes, SO2 or commercial yeasts added at pressing
- After an overnight rough-settling, the juice was sent to barrel, with fermentation and ageing taking place over 10 months in a 2600L Foudre
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
2022
Country:
South Africa
Region:
Walker Bay
Appellation:
Hemel-en-Aarde
Variety:
Chardonnay
Color:
White
Sizes Available
| Full Bottle | ZA-CRY-11-22 | 6/750ml |
Resources
Press & Reviews
Decanter
Score
95
Date
2024-03-21
"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."
Vinous
Score
93
Date
2023-11-02
"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."
Wine Advocate
Score
92
Date
2023-12-29
"Instantly impressive in the glass, the 2022 Clay Shales Chardonnay opens with classic Chardonnay aromas of yellow apple and Meyer lemon that burst with a bright, floral essence and hints of wax melon. Medium-bodied and with 13.5% alcohol, the mouthfeel has a delicate mineral tension with succulent acidity. Lingering flavors of lemon pastry cream persist over the long, spicy finish. It's a fantastic Chardonnay that spent 10 months in all French oak, 20% new. Only 4,680 bottles were produced. Chardonnay lovers should seek out this beautiful bottling."