Crystallum Ferrum Chardonnay 2022

Didn't recognise it at all - at some point even said "definitely not Crystallum." Which is interesting, isn't it?

Beautiful tropical notes: white peach and green melon, lemon, bread, spices. Oak well integrated, not shouting. Good acidity, a touch of creaminess, long finish. Structurally sound throughout. Really tasty.

But - and here's what matters - it lacks a bit of complexity. Everything is well-executed, technically correct, pleasant to drink. Just not quite as layered or interesting as you'd expect from Crystallum at their best.

The Ferrum Chardonnay is a single-vineyard wine produced by Crystallum from their estate at Shaw's Mountain, located just outside the Hemel-en-Aarde region near Hermanus. The grapes are whole-bunch pressed. Following an overnight rough-settling, the juice is transferred to barrels for fermentation. The fermentation process occurs spontaneously, and the wine is then aged over a period of 10 months in 300 and 500-litre barrels. To enhance its complexity and depth, 20% of these barrels are new oak. This process results in a Chardonnay that is expressive of its unique vineyard origins.

Over the past nine months, this wine has certainly developed, though it seems to be nearing its quality peak. It features enticing notes of lemon mingled with hints of butter cookie. While not highly complex, it is well-crafted with pleasant volume and persistence. Fresh and structured, it presents a non-vulgar profile with excellent oak integration.

Fell short of expectations, possibly due to its youth. The profile seemed overly simple and uninspiring, with dominant notes of green apricot and lemon, accompanied by a buttery quality. The texture is round and slightly oily, with a persisting good acidity. However, the flavours dissipate quickly, leading to a disappointingly short aftertaste. A second bottle awaits re-evaluation, as this one may have been tasted too early.

Ferrum Chardonnay

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