This exceptional Chardonnay from Walker Bay captivates with an elegant balance of steely minerality and refined complexity. From a vineyard rich in quartz seams, it offers bright, flinty aromas with subtle layers of lemon zest, green apple, and a hint of white peach. On the palate, the wine reveals its tension and depth, unfolding notes of crisp pear, citrus blossom, and a touch of toasted almond from carefully selected barrel aging. Its vibrant acidity and mineral backbone provide a crystalline structure, while a creamy mouthfeel adds finesse and length to the finish. Each sip showcases purity and sophistication, embodying the character of its unique terroir in every individually numbered bottle.
100% Chardonnay, a small pocket within a single vineyard. Hand-harvested, 50% spontaneous fermention in 70% second-fill and 30% new French oak barrels. Left on the lees for a further 10 months while undergoing malolactic fermentation. Bottled without fining nor filtration. Only 6520 bottles produced.
Winemaker: Jean-Claude Martin
Winemaker: Jean-Claude Martin
When in 2002 Jean-Claude (JC) and Carolyn Martin took up the challenge of establishing a winery in a remote corner of the Walker Bay Wine Region, they did so with the courage of their conviction. The 40 hectares of undulating land on the lofty Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge had never been planted to vines before, but recognising the vast potential, they set out with tenacity and determination to transform it into a model wine farm. No easy feat, but then the Swiss-born JC and South African-born Carolyn (née Finlayson) both come from wine pioneering stock spanning at least three generations and two continents!
