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2021 Chardonnay 'Clonal Selection', Kershaw Wine Republic

2021 Chardonnay 'Clonal Selection', Kershaw

Elgin, Western Cape, South Africa

Cape Precision

Beautifully poised and quietly luxurious, this Elgin Chardonnay combines the intricacy of fine white Burgundy with the bright fruit of South Africa’s cooler vineyards. Ripe lemon, golden apple and poached pear rise from the glass, lifted by freesia and white blossom, with a delicate herbal freshness beneath. Gentle notes of oatmeal, vanilla and oak spice bring warmth and depth, while a chalky mineral character and a flicker of white pepper keep the aromas focused and inviting.

The palate has a lovely interplay of generosity and tension, with supple orchard fruit drawn along by incisive citrus acidity. Medium-bodied and dry, it builds steadily through the middle, revealing finely layered flavour rather than obvious weight. Subtle oak frames the fruit, leading into a long, savoury finish of citrus peel, spice and crushed stone. There is plenty to enjoy now as the wine opens in the glass, alongside the balance and concentration for further development. A compelling choice for anyone who loves Chardonnay with texture, precision and something new to reveal with every sip.

For when: Dinner deserves the good glasses and a white wine worth lingering over.

Pairs with: Roast chicken with tarragon cream, pan-fried turbot with beurre blanc, seared scallops with cauliflower purée, butter-poached lobster, wild mushroom risotto, or mature Comté.

Clonal Selection brings together carefully chosen forms of Chardonnay, each contributing its own character to the finished wine. For 2021, Richard Kershaw selected eight small vineyard parcels in Elgin, working with four clones and vinifying the different combinations of clone and soil separately. The result brings those individual elements into a beautifully detailed whole, capturing the freshness and elegance of one of South Africa’s coolest wine-growing districts.

Whats in the bottle
100% Chardonnay

Notable Awards
95 points, Neal Martin, Vinous

£52.95 - £52.95
£52.95
£52.95 - £52.95
£52.95
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British-born Richard Kershaw began his working life as a chef before pursuing wine, gaining experience in California, Chile, Bordeaux, Hungary and Germany. He settled in South Africa in 1999, became a Master of Wine in 2011 and founded Kershaw Wines in 2012. Chardonnay and Syrah were his original focus, with Pinot Noir joining the range in 2015.

Elgin provides the cool conditions central to his approach. An elevated valley surrounded by mountains and influenced by the nearby ocean, it benefits from cool nights and a long growing season. Its varied soils, including Bokkeveld shale and Cartref, offer different settings in which carefully selected grape clones can develop their individual personalities.

Richard works with oenologist Dudley Wilson, combining close attention to vineyard detail with restrained handling in the cellar. Parcels are separated by clone and soil, and barrel choices are tailored to the character of each batch. Regular tasting throughout maturation guides the final blends, producing wines distinguished by their clarity, finely judged oak and layered expression of Elgin.

Made from 100% Chardonnay, using clones CY96, CY95, CY76 and CY548, the 2021 was selected from eight small parcels in Elgin. Grapes were hand-picked between 24 February and 19 March, during the cool early mornings, and transported in small baskets. The extended ripening season helped preserve freshness while allowing flavour to develop gradually.

The grapes were gently whole-bunch pressed, and the juice flowed by gravity directly into barrels without settling. Fermentation began spontaneously, without added cultured yeast or enzymes, and continued until dry. Malolactic fermentation was discouraged to retain the wine’s natural acidity. Each combination of clone and soil was vinified separately.

Maturation lasted eleven months in French oak from selected Burgundian coopers, with 54% new oak. The barrels comprised 89.8% 228-litre vessels and 10.2% 500-litre vessels. After four months, sulphur was added judiciously, followed by a further seven months in barrel before racking, blending and bottling.

Alcohol: 13.5%. Recommended drinking window: 2024–2035.

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