Crystallum The Agnes Chardonnay 2024

Brothers Andrew and Peter-Allan Finlayson (sons of South African wine legend Peter Finlayson) founded the Crystallum estate in 2007. Today it’s considered one of South Africa’s finest and rated a ‘First Growth’ by Tim Atkin MW. The Agnes is named after the brothers’ grandmother, who arrived in South Africa at the age of 14. Whole-bunch pressed, and fermented and aged in French oak barrels and foudres, it’s a beautifully balanced Chardonnay with citrus fruit, seashell minerality and Burgundian finesse. “Slightly deeper in colour than other cuvées, it has a perfumed nose with yellow plum and light jasmine scents and a hint of orange pith in the background. The palate is well balanced with a lovely waxy texture” (Vinous.com). Crystallum has developed a cult following in recent years and these wines are always in very high demand.