Crystallum new releases

A great part of Burgundy’s appeal is surely how minutely site manifests in the final wine. Locally, Peter-Allan Finlayson of Crystallum, working with the two renowned grapes of that region, namely Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, is also inclined to explore the impact of various patches of vineyard to absorbing effect – no Bona Fide Pinot Noir from Hemel-en-Aarde Valley in 2019 as the fruit wasn’t up to scratch.

Crystallum The Agnes Chardonnay 2019
Price: R260
Designated as W.O. Western Cape, this is includes a portion of fruit from Koelfontein in Ceres for the first time. A more exuberant nose than usual with notes of struck match, lemon and yellow peach plus some yeasty complexity. The palate shows sweet fruit on entry before a gently savoury finish, and the acidity is seemingly quite moderate. A crowd pleaser.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Crystallum Clay Shales Chardonnay 2019
Price: TBC
Grapes from Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. A somewhat shy nose with a hint of citrus as well as some leesy complexity. Good depth of fruit and well-integrated acidity, some pithy grip to the finish. Weighty but not too much so, this is complex and demanding.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Crystallum Peter Max Pinot Noir 2019
Price: R295
Grapes sourced variously from Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, Overberg and Elandskloof. 60% whole-bunch fermentation. A hint of reduction before red and black fruit and some spice on the nose. The palate is rich and full (alcohol is 14.2%) with dense, sweet fruit and moderate acidity, some pleasant grip to the finish.

CE’s rating: 91/100.  

Crystallum Litigo Pinot Noir 2019
Price: TBC
Grapes from a vineyard just beyond Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge in the Overberg. 30% whole-bunch fermentation. Red fruit, rose petal and discreet oak-derived notes on the nose. The palate is light-bodied with fresh acidity and fine tannins. Wonderfully poised and energetic, this is very elegant.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Crystallum Mabalel 2019
Price: TBC
Grapes from Elandskloof, 10% whole-bunch fermentation. Red and black fruit plus a hint of smoky reduction on the nose. The palate is rich and relatively plush – with generous fruit and smooth textured, the finish is still nicely savoury.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Box-office hit.

Crystallum Crystallum Cuvée Cinéma Pinot Noir 2019
Price: TBC
Grapes from Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, 70% whole-bunch fermentation. Compelling aromatics of red and black berries, violets, dried herbs and spice. The palate meanwhile shows both great fruit purity and structure, the tannins fine yet simultaneously grippy. Vivid, balanced and long, the stand-out wine of the vintage.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Crystallum Whole Bunch Pinot Noir 2019
Price: TBC
Grapes from Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, 100% whole-bunch fermentation. The nose shows red fruit and a slightly herbal quality. Light bodied with fresh acidity and a very dry finish, this is an intriguing rendition of the variety but perhaps not for everyone…

CE’s rating: 91/100.

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