Cool-Climate Triumph: Six of our Elgin Wines Scored 95+ with Tim Atkin MW...
My friend and fellow MW, Tim Atkin, recently released his highly anticipated 2024 South Africa report. As one of his first growth producers, he came to taste with me in March, and we worked our way through all the wines I make. I always enjoy this time; honest, face-to-face feedback is extremely helpful.
Not one of my wines scored less than 93 points, so it's safe to say I am over the moon with the results.
“South Africa is making the best wines in its history.” - Tim Atkin MW
The Wines that scored 95+
Wondering which of our wines made the cut? Here is the list:
97 Points - Deconstructed Lake District Bokkeveld Shale CY96 Chardonnay 2022
96 Points - Deconstructed Kogelberg Sandstone CY76 Chardonnay 2022
96 Points - Deconstructed Kogelberg Sandstone PN115 Pinot Noir 2022
95 Points - Clonal Selection Chardonnay 2022
95 Points - Deconstructed Kogelberg Ironstone CY548 Chardonnay 2022
95 Points - Deconstructed Lake District Cartref SH9c Syrah 2021
So, what made these wines so special? Let's hear what Tim had to say...
(these wines haven't been released yet so I'll add their available equivalent on the right-hand-side))
2022 Deconstructed Lake District Bokkeveld Shale CY96 Chardonnay
Tim's Comment: "My pick of the latest Kershaw releases, this is the most complete and well-balanced Chardonnay in the line-up. Scented, intense and arrow head-focused, it marries aromas of oatmeal, petrichor and vanilla pod with a palate of lemongrass, lime and baking spices complemented by a hint of struck match reduction. 2025-32."
2022 Deconstructed Kogelberg Sandstone CY76 Chardonnay
Tim's Comment: This is the third release of Richard Kershaw's sandstone-derived Chardonnay. Floral and enticing, it's a taut, pithy, intensely refreshing style, brimming with saline complexity. The 50% new oak frames a palate of tangerine, pear and waxed lemons. Long and focused. 2025-32.
2022 Deconstructed Kogelberg Sandstone PN115 Pinot Noir
Tim's Comment: The Kershaw Pinots are improving with every vintage. This sandstone-derived example is made with the savoury 115 clone and is a complex, delight. Scented, refined and layered, it partners top notes of rose petal and potpourri with a palate of pomegranate, tobacco leaf and wild strawberry complemented by stylish 50% new oak. 2025-35.
2022 Clonal Selection Chardonnay
Tim's Comment: Richard Kershaw's Chardonnay is a medley of five clones - 76, 95, 96, 277 and 548 - from 11 different parcels. Fermented in 50% new wood with no malolactic, it has lots of zip and energy, flavours of lime and tangerine and undertones of cashew and vanilla spice. 2025-32.
2022 Deconstructed Kogelberg Ironstone CY548 Chardonnay
Tim's Comment: What Richard Kershaw calls the "robust, spicy" Corton-Charlemagne clone is the source of this new oak-fermented Chardonnay from ironstone soils in Elgin. The wood needs a little more time to integrate, but this is another very impressive white, with stony intensity, lots of concentration, a ferrous undertone and flavours of pear, lime and citrus zest. 2025-34.
2021 Deconstructed Lake District Cartref SH9c Syrah
Tim's Comment: Appealingly fresh and medium-bodied, this classy Elgin Syrah, made with the SH9c clone, is bright, scented and acid driven with layers of bramble and goji berry, a hint of tomato leaf, some clove spice from 20% added stems and well-handled 50% new oak. 2025-32.
Our Other Scores:
2022 Deconstructed Lake District Bokkeveld Shale CY95 Chardonnay - 94 Points
2022 Clonal Selection Pinot Noir - 94 Points
2021 Clonal Selection Syrah - 94 Points
2022 Clonal Cape South Coast Sauvignon Blanc Semillon - 94 Points
2023 CWG Ziggurat Chardonnay - 94 Points
2022 CWG Vertiginous Pinot Noir - 94 Points
2021 GPS W.O. Klein River Syrah - 93 Points
2022 GPS Lower Duivenhoks River Chardonnay – 93 pts
Have you had a chance to taste any of these wines? Which one was your favourite?
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