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. 

Winemaker Peter-Allan Finlayson sourced the fruit entirely from a single 1-hectare vineyard on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. The unique block sits 300 meters above sea level. Constant maritime breezes from the nearby Atlantic Ocean slow the ripening process to create exceptional flavor density.

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

Tasting Notes: 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. Age worthy beyond 2035.

Food Pairing: elegant, highly mineral, and textural wine. It offers bright acidity and notes of citrus, pear, and subtle oak. It pairs beautifully with rich seafood, roasted poultry, and creamy vegetarian dishes. Seafood: Fresh oysters, butter-poached crayfish (rock lobster), pan-seared scallops, or a buttery linefish like Kingklip. The crisp acidity of the wine cuts directly through the fat and richness of the seafood.  Poultry: Classic roast chicken with lemon and thyme, or duck breast with a light fruit glaze. The fat in the poultry mirrors the wine's weight and textural mid-palate. Creamy Dishes: Creamy pasta dishes, butternut squash ravioli in a sage butter sauce, or mushroom risotto.

Neal Martin says of their wines, 'These are some of South Africa's finest Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays.'

ANALYSIS: ALC 13.49% | TA 6.1g/L | pH 3.36 | RS 1.7g/L