Kershaw Chardonnay 2018, South Africa

Originally from Sheffield, Richard Kershaw started his career as a successful chef before moving into winemaking. In 1999 he moved to South Africa and became head winemaker at Mulderbosch and Kanu in 2009. In 2012 he established Richard Kershaw Wines with a focus on creating site-specific, clonal Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah from the cool Elgin Valley near Cape Town.

His Clonal Selection Chardonnay comes from nine small plots of Chardonnay vines grown from five different Burgundian clones. The wine is fermented with natural yeasts in barriques and 500L oak barrels, 40% of which are new. To preserve the wine's freshness, malolactic fermentation is stopped and the wine is aged for 11 months. The result is a harmonious Chardonnay with notes of buttery brioche, integrated oak and a balanced acidity. It is ready to be enjoyed now, but can also be stored.

Richard Kershaw Wines is located in the cool Elgin Valley. Richard is one of the few in the world to have achieved the title of Master of Wine (MW). He specialises in cool climate wines that are site specific and clonally selected, resulting in wines with a cool style that reflects the unique terroir of Elgin. Chardonnay and Syrah are grown, vinified and aged individually, and the wines are crafted with the same care as a chef seasoning his dish.

Richard Kershaw offers three wines: a Burgundian-style Chardonnay with fresh fruit and concentration, a northern Rhône-style Syrah with deep fruit, freshly ground pepper and black cherries, and an elegant Pinot Noir that highlights Elgin's potential for winemaking.