Crystallum new releases

76 barrels of The Agnes Chardonnay 2023 and 125 barrels of Peter Max Pinot Noir 2023, the former selling for R315 a bottle and the latter for R345 a bottle – fermentation vessels of various sizes are used but you have to conclude that Peter Allan Finlayson’s Crystallum label is a going concern. Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Crystallum The Agnes Chardonnay 2023
Grapes from Shaw’s Mountain (Overberg), Ceres Plateau and Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. Aromatics are not surprisingly still rather primary at this stage with notes of lemon, orange, oatmeal and nutmeg while the palate has good depth of fruit matched by tangy acidity – big and generous, the end nicely dry. Ticks all the boxes. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Crystallum Peter Max 2023
Includes grapes from two new Hemel en Aarde Ridge vineyards planted to replicate the premium Cuvée Cinéma site. Red and black cherry, musk, fynbos and oak spice on the nose while the palate has good weight and might even be described as plush. Altogether nicely balanced thanks to bright acidity and grippy tannins that again make for a dry finish. Alc: 14%.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Check out our South African wine ratings database.