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.
Critics Ratings
‘Upfront ripe yellow fruit marries well with warm mineral tones and orange zest. The palate is wonderfully rich, almost sweet in its fruit purity. Clearly a warm vintage offering lots of power and concentration. Drink Now – 2024 ‘ - Higgo Jacobs (Feb 2022)
'Intense white flower perfume, ginger crème brûlée and stonefruit flavours on satiny 2015 from Overberg. Bunch pressed/aged 20% new oak. Full and broad, with creamy core and long mineral finish. A keeper.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2017, 4.5* (92/100)
‘Clay Shales comes from a single vineyard that is just beyond the boundary of the Hemel-enAarde Ridge. It sees 25% new wood and completes its malolactic fermentation. It’s slightly broader than the 2014, but has the same spice, concentration and tangerine notes.’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2016, 92/100
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