Deconstructed Kogelberg ironstone CY548
exudes concentration with white stone fruit yet reinforced with an austere texture and robustness
100% Chardonnay made from Dijon clone CY548.
Sourced from the foothills of the Groenland Mountain in northern Elgin this clone has been taken from Corton-Charlemagne cuttings. It produces wines that have aromatics oscillating between lemon blossom, white flowers, petrichor and struck stone. Full in body they exude concentration with white stone fruit yet reinforced with an austere texture and robustness that makes for excellent aging potential. The Bokkeveld Shale soils adds structure and concentration to the flavour.
The wine rested in barrel for 4 months prior to judicious sulphuring and a further 7 months maturation in barrel before racking and bottling. A small number of artisanal coopers were selected, all from Burgundy and only French oak was chosen. Importantly, this wine was micro-vinified as a separate batch. In 2018, 59.4% was new oak; 100% using 228 litre barrels.
Alcohol: 13.5% | pH: 3.37 | RS: 2.8 g/l
R1150
per 750ml
accolades
wine advocate
92/100
Impeccably balanced and possessing power with finesse, the 2018 Groenland Bokkeveld Shale CY548 Deconstructed Chardonnay offers ripe and round aromas of brown baking spices, juicy yellow apple, sweet citrus, lemon meringue and lightly sautéed almonds. Medium-bodied, the palate explodes with layers that bring forth a beautifully complex mouthfeel and exquisite flavors of cardamom madeleines, pound cake and lemon pastry cream along with a delightful, growing spiciness that grips the palate. The Chardonnay evolves in the mouth with time, leaving behind a soft nutty expression with citrus and pomaceous notes leading to a delightfully spicy finish that will remain food-friendly for the next 10 years. I’m going back for a second and third sip.
-Anthony Mueller, Wine Advocate
neal martin
92/100
The 2018 Kershaw Deconstructed Groenland Bokkeveld Shale CY548 is the one white cuvée that demands coaxing compared to others, eventually rewarding the imbiber with beeswax and honeysuckle scents. The palate is full of tension thanks to another silver bead of acidity cutting through the bitter lemon, orange pith and pineapple notes that fan out toward the finish. Very classy.
- Neal Martin, Vinous 2021
Tim atkin
93/100
We’re saying farewell to this block here, as Oak Valley has now reclaimed it for its own use. This is quite a bold wine – typical of the Kershaw Chardonnays in 2018 – with soft, peachy, almost Pouilly-Fuissé-like flavours, scented 60% new wood and underlying acidity. 2019-23.
-Tim Atkin MW, South Africa Report 2021
