Kershaw Chardonnay Deconstructed Lake District Bokkeveld Shale CY96
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Sourced from the western part of Elgin, known as the Lake District, this clone produces wines that are nervous, aromatic, elegant and crisp with slightly lower alcohol and finely balanced.
- The fruit profile is subtle with hints of citrus/orange peel and peach blossom and with time, some nutty elements.
- A small number of artisanal coopers were selected, all from Burgundy and only French oak was chosen.
Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Elaboration: Hand picked in the early autumn mornings, placed into small lug baskets and tipped directly into a press before being gently whole-bunch pressed. The juice gravity-flowed directly to French oak barrels without settling. The unclarified juice had no enzymes or yeast added to it and therefore underwent spontaneous fermentation until dry, with malolactic discouraged. The wine rested in barrel for four months before judicious sulphuring and a further seven months’ maturation in barrel before racking, blending and bottling.
Tasting Notes: Captivating aromas of apple blossom, jasmine, pine needles, white peach, lemon zest and subtle tangerine. These notes intertwine with button mushroom, oat flakes and toast. The palate has focus, linearity, and purpose as the racy acidity pushes the wine forward as it encounters a medley of fleshy fruits and secondary components. Lucerne flowers, dried pineapple, jasmine, Bartlett pear, white nectarine melded with oatmeal, spice and mineral. The texture underscores the wine with its creaminess yet mineral-like pithiness.
PRESS
2020- 96 Wine Advocate | 95 Vinous
2021 – 96 Tim Atkin
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Richard Kershaw’s enthusiasm for wine evolved from his love of cooking. After working as a chef, he decided to develop his knowledge of wine by exploring the world’s great wine regions, including Bordeaux, California and Germany. After passing the WSET [The Wine & Spirit Education Trust] Master of Wine exam in 2011, Richard decided it was time to establish his own winery. And that’s exactly what he did. Richard started Kershaw Wines on the Western Cape, South Africa in 2012.
Richard has a dual approach to winemaking. On the one hand he believes in a non-interventionist style that allows the soil and the nuances of each varietal to tell their own story in a unique way. On the other hand, he and his team use a sophisticated and carefully developed set of calculations to determine when to harvest each plot and what type of barrels to use for the fermentation process. Every step on that journey is an example of both the art and the science of making great wine.