- 100% Chardonnay
- The Ava Marie single vineyard is the oldest Chardonnay vineyard in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde, planted in 1999
- Granitic rocky topsoils with heavy clay subsoil
- Hand harvested
- Whole bunch pressed
- Fermented with indigenous yeast in 90% French oak (10% new) and 10% unlined Tuscan terracotta amphora on the lees
-
Released after 12 months in barrel, a further three months in tank, and 18 months in bottle
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
2022
Country:
South Africa
Region:
Walker Bay
Appellation:
Hemel-en-Aarde
Variety:
Chardonnay
Color:
White
Farming Practice:
Sustainable
Sizes Available
| Full Bottle | ZA-RRW-11-22 | 6/750ml |
Resources
Press & Reviews
Decanter
Score
97
Date
2025-01-03
"Autodidact winemaker and viticulturist Craig Wessels does things differently – and fastidiously – perhaps because he hasn't had any formal training. From a small single block, planted in 1999, which is considered to be the oldest Chardonnay in the Hemel-en-Aarde. Specific parcels are whole-bunch picked over three weeks. Pressed in an old Vaslin press, the 'black' juice then goes through natural ferment in barrels of mixed sizes as well as amphora. Quickly becoming something of an icon wine, the 2022 is firing on all cylinders – sensational smoky oystershell reduction, lemon leaf, blossom and creamed white pear part to an elegant yet weighted palate, flush with fruit and the house's signature savoury acidity."
James Suckling
Score
95
Date
2024-11-25
"This chardonnay is immensely textural and mineral. Salted almonds, lemon pith, Asian pears, chamomile and salted butter follow through to a medium- to full-bodied palate, showing lots of depth and plenty of chewy phenolics. Dry, chalky and saline. From a single vineyard planted in 1998. Drink or hold."
Vinous
Score
91
Date
2024-09-19