Description
In 2012, owner Richard Kershaw MW, established Richard Kershaw Wines to create clonally selected, site-specific, cool climate wine paradigms from apposite noble grapes i.e. ones with the ability to produce world-class examples. SA’s coolest wine district, Elgin Valley, reflected these principles benefitting from higher altitude, ocean proximity, specific cloud cover sequencing, high cold units and a large diurnal range, enabling the germane grapes, Chardonnay, Syrah and more recently Pinot Noir, to show a sense of place.
Grapes were hand-picked in the early autumnal mornings, placed into small lug baskets and tipped directly into a press before being gently whole-bunch pressed up to a maximum of 0.6 bar or until a low juice recovery of 615 litres per ton was obtained using our new Willmes Sigma 5 press. The juice gravity-flowed directly to barrel (no pumps were used at all) without settling. The unclarified juice had no enzymes or yeast added to it and therefore underwent spontaneous fermentation until dry, with malolactic discouraged. The wine rested in barrel for 4 months prior to judicious sulphuring and a further 7 months’ maturation in barrel before racking, blending and bottling.
BARREL SELECTION: A small number of artisanal coopers were selected, all from Burgundy and only French oak was chosen. Importantly, each clone and soil type was micro vinified as separate batches. Each batch used an algorithm that we have developed to ascertain which coopers work best and how many new and used barrels are utilised. Overall, the average in 2018 was 39.4% new oak; 82.2% 228 l and 17.8% 500 l.
Professional Review –
The 2018 Chardonnay Kershaw Clonal Selection Elgin, matured in 40% new oak (228- and 500-liter Burgundy barrels) offers impressive intensity on a nose of orange zest, Japanese yuzu and hints of dried honey. It is slightly more pithy than the Duivenhoks Chardonnay. The palate is well balanced with a precise but substantial opening. A little denser than other cuvées from Kershaw, it offers superb concentration on the finish. Touches of brioche and chamomile linger long after the wine departs. Superb.
93 points Neal Martin, Vinous.com