2020 Crystallum Chardonnay "The Agnes", Western Cape, South Africa

ABOUT THIS WINE

The Agnes comes from five vineyards in Hemel-en-Aarde and Overberg, aged in 228- and 500-liter barrels with 10% new oak.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Brothers Peter-Allan and Andrew are the third generation of Finlayson winemakers, with their father Peter recognized as one of South Africa’s most groundbreaking winemakers thanks to his pivotal role in founding Hamilton Russell Vineyards in 1979 and producing their first vintage of Pinot Noir in 1981. Peter Finlayson went on to form Bouchard Finlayson in 1989 as a collaboration with legendary Burgundy negociant, Paul Bouchard, where he remains as owner today. Both Hamilton Russell Vineyards and Bouchard Finlayson established Hemel-en-Aarde as South Africa’s premier subregion for Pinot Noir production almost 40 years ago and Crystallumhonors that tradition today.

While both Andrew and Peter-Allan pursued other interests at university, they ultimately returned to the family business, albeit with a venture of their own. Founded in 2007, the first vintage for Crystallum saw the brothers only produce a few hundred cases of Sauvignon Blanc. In their second vintage, they embraced their father’s legacy and the cool climate of the greater Walker Bay region by beginning to focus solely on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, which they’ve now continued on with for over a decade.