Deconstructed Kogelberg Sandstone CY76
A graceful wine that has a broad mid-palate shape
100% Chardonnay made from Dijon clone CY76.
Sourced from a parcel in the western part of Elgin the 76 clone tends to yield aromatic (lifted floral), fine wines that are minerally and tight, typically well-balanced and underpinned by a rich palate structure with great ageing potential.
The fruit profile leans towards melons, figs, stone fruits, lemons, nuts, and cashews - white peach and lemon are particularly emphasised.
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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 2020 66% is new oak using 228 litre barrels.
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Alcohol: 13.64% | pH: 3.42 | RS: 3.3 g/l
R1250
per 750ml
accolades
Robert Parker
Wine Advocate
98/100
From the first sniff, the 2020 Deconstructed Kogelberg Sandstone CY76 Chardonnay is immensely profound and swinging for the fences. It's this year's best Chardonnay and is the most impressive of the Kershaw lineup. Opening with layers of citrus and oak, checking all of the boxes, this beautiful Chardonnay has that special “It” factor. With just-ripe, succulent layers of spicy citrus and yellow apple essence overflowing with elegance and finesse, this is Kershaw's most focused Chardonnay ever made. Medium-bodied and exuding precision and finesse, Chardonnay trophy hunters must seek this out and put it in their cellar. The palate explodes with impeccable layers of freshness and vibrancy with fantastic laser precision. I'd put this up against Burgundy any day. Only 497 bottles were produced, which were wild fermented and aged in 67% new French oak. My only complaint is that only three barrels were made for the entire world to share.
-Anthony Mueller, Wine Advocate
Platter's Wine Guide 2023
★★★★★
95 points
The elegant 2020 captures Elgin's bright natural acid and cool-climate feel. The ripe lemon-fresh flavours, broadened by lees-ageing remain pure, with a mineral tension that leads to lengthy concluding resonance.
Tim atkin
94/100
This is a new wine in Richard Kershaw's stellar line-up of Chardonnays, sourced from sandstone soils. Pale, bready and toasty, with hints of coconut, vanilla spice and passion fruit, savoury, umami undertones and nuanced 66% new wood. 2023-29
-Tim Atkin MW, South Africa Report 2022
