CLAY SHALES CHARDONNAY

Clay Shales Chardonnay

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.

Latest release (2025)

All of the layers of the high scoring 2024 with arguably even more concentration, precision and focus. Quince, litchi and lemon rind on the nose before a lavish, expressive palate showing lime curd, banoffee, golden delicious apple and loquat – all cut into by a wet stone acidity. Tension and energy up front, long-lasting layers on the finish. Ageworthy beyond 2035.

Vinification

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.

Technical Analysis