Crystallum Ferrum chardonnay 2022

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Crystallum, located in the breathtaking Hemel-en-Aarde Valley of South Africa, is a family-owned estate run by brothers Andrew and Peter-Allan Finlayson. Since its founding in 2007, the estate has focused exclusively on pinot noir and chardonnay, with vineyards planted on carefully selected top sites. The result is wines that are refined, elegant, and profound, expressing the character of their terroir.

This chardonnay comes from a single vineyard on Crystallum’s own land at Shaw’s Mountain, just outside the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley near Hermanus. Its slightly lower altitude and proximity to the ocean give the wine a tighter, more linear expression.

The rich, full-bodied entry develops gradually and lingers long into the finish, with remarkable subtlety and finesse. The aroma and flavor profile reveal retronasal notes of dried lemon, fresh grapefruit, toast, and yellow apple, creating an elegant balance between power and refinement.

The grapes were gently whole-bunch pressed, without the addition of enzymes, and with minimal sulfites at pressing. After a short settling period, the juice was transferred to 300- and 500-liter French oak barrels, where spontaneous fermentation took place. The wine then matured for 10 months in these barrels, 20% of which were new oak, contributing to subtle roundness and harmonious complexity.

Estate: Crystallum
Grape: chardonnay
Country: South Africa
Region: Overberg
Style: full-bodied white wine
Wine & food pairing: Pan-fried sole, grilled lobster, octopus on the plancha
Serving temperature: 12°C, decant when young
Cellaring: consume within 10 years
Volume: 75 cl