2023 Crystallum Ferrum Chardonnay

95 pts
Crystallum |Walker Bay |Chardonnay
A seriously good Chardonnay from the Finlayson brothers and a great expression of the unique Shaw’s Mountain region.
4.0
Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars
1 Review

Price:
Sale price$85.00
Stock:
Sold out
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Description

This is the Crystallum team doing what they do best: precision, restraint, and just the right amount of polish. The fruit comes off select Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge sites - cool climate, well-farmed, and picked early for freshness.

The 2023 was whole-bunch pressed, wild fermented, and aged in mostly old oak for just under a year. Nothing flashy, nothing forced. You get citrus and white stone fruit, a bit of struck match, and a gentle creaminess through the mid-palate. The acidity's there from start to finish - clean, direct, and perfectly judged.

It’s not trying to be Meursault or Sonoma - it’s just a really well-made Chardonnay that speaks clearly of place. Stylish but unpretentious, and drinking beautifully already.

95 points
"Forthcoming aromatics of lime, lemon and some struck-match reduction. Excellent fruit density, lively acidity and a pithy finish. Vivid and direct."
- Christian Eedes

95 points - "Grapes from what is provisionally called Shaw’s Mountain just outside the ward of Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. Matured for 10 months in 300- and 500-litre barrels, 20% new. Forthcoming aromatics of lime, lemon and some struck-match reduction. Excellent fruit density, lively acidity and a pithy finish. Vivid and direct. Alc: 13.38%." - Christian Eedes (

Customer Reviews

4.0
Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars
Based on 1 review
Total 5 star reviews: 0 Total 4 star reviews: 1 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 0
1 review
  • TN
    Terry N.
    Verified Buyer
    7 months ago
    Reviewing
    2022 Crystallum Ferrum Chardonnay
    Rated 4 out of 5 stars
    on the elegant side.

    a quite unique one in the region

Ferrum Chardonnay is made from a single vineyard on Crystallum’s own land at Shaw’s Mountain, just outside the Hemel-en-Aarde region near Hermanus.

A tense and energetic showing of a wine coming into its own. Lime leaf, nori and lemongrass on the nose as well as an appealing hint of peat-like reduction. The palate is bright and citric, with a complementary richness and texture from light honey making for a mouth-coating and sumptuous finish. Length, layers and longevity.

Vinification:

The wine was whole-bunch pressed with no enzymes, sulphites added at pressing. After an overnight rough-settling, the juice was sent to barrel, with a spontaneous fermentation and ageing taking place over 10 months in 300 and 500-litre barrels, 20% of which were were new oak.

Price Bracket $51 to $100
Type White
Body Full Bodied
Variety Chardonnay
Country South Africa
Region Walker Bay
Feature High Score
Critic Score 95
Alcohol 13%
Size 750ml
Vintage 2023
Closure Cork

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