Elgin

Richard Kershaw’s 2016 vintage Clonal Selection Chardonnay displays an inherent elegance and restraint. Notes of spice and flint are layered with citrus pith and white blossom. The attack is brisk and leads to a refined, scented palate. There is a hint of grip and the oak is completely integrated, contributing to a texturally very fine wine. Fresh with a long, mineral finish, it’s the perfect match for roasted poultry or buttery sole meunière. While delicious now, it will reward patient cellaring; drink now to 2022.
Daisy Gatt, Buying Assistant (spring 2018)

Richard describes 2015 as a “superlative year” – doubtless one of the reasons the Platter Guide awarded this wine five stars. Picture-perfect grapes captured prime acidity levels, fruit concentration and texture. The resulting wine offers notes of white peppercorn, iodine and blackberry. It’s precise with very fine, supple tannins and a subtle grip. A mineral and restrained style of Syrah, this is a wonderful accompaniment to lamb cassoulet or a cheese board. Drink now to 2022.
Daisy Gatt, Buying Assistant (spring 2018)

Delicate and alluring, this wine’s floral perfume is underscored by black cherry and pomegranate. Rich fruit persists on the palate, punctuated by notes of cherry stone and thyme. Fine, powdery tannins are lifted by the palate’s supple texture and naturally bright acidity. Try it with pork loin or porcini mushroom risotto. Drink now to 2021.
Daisy Gatt, Buying Assistant (spring 2018)

Richard Kershaw’s GPS range celebrates exemplary parcels of vines from outside the Elgin region. The Vermaaklikheid Chardonnay is sourced from a unique parcel of Chardonnay on limestone soils, lending this wine bright energy and a mineral edge. Notes of orange pith and peel, lemon curd and more tropical fruit are coupled with racy acidity and spice. Pithy and textural, this has a wonderful salinity and purity, which will continue to evolve. Fresh and very long, drink now or over the next 10 years (to 2028).
Daisy Gatt, Buying Assistant (spring 2018)

This three-bottle case is a collection of three masterfully crafted Chardonnays from Richard Kershaw. The inspiration for the Deconstructed wines stems from Richard’s belief that Elgin has both a signature grape and regional distinctions. Here, he has judiciously selected specific Elgin sites and Burgundian clones to express their distinct qualities.

The Lake District Bokkeveld Shales CY 95 is aromatic, fuller-bodied and rich, with white peach flesh and a delicate perfume. The Groenland Bokkeveld Shales CY 548 is structured and concentrated, with aromas of lemon blossom and a flinty minerality. The Groenland Koffieklip CY 96 has slightly lower alcohol. It’s elegant and sharp, with subtle citrus, peach blossom with a nutty complexity.

The wines all possess an inherent elegance and restraint. There is a hint of grip and the oak is completely integrated, contributing to texturally very fine wines. They are fresh and very, very long.

This case contains one bottle (75cl) of each of the following:
2015 Lake District Bokkeveld Shales CY 95
2015 Groenland Bokkeveld Shales CY 548
2015 Groenland Koffieklip CY 96

Richard has stepped up his game with his 2013 Syrah. While the 2012 was very good, the 2013 is truly impressive. The nose is awash with blueberry, damson and white pepper. The palate is medium-bodied, svelte and full of Old World sensibility with a moreish, savoury, tannin edge and much more structure than the previous vintage. The acidity is lifted and, along with a graphite note and mineral edge, gives this Syrah a refinement one often finds in the wines of the Northern Rhône. Excellent. Drink 2017-2022.
Stuart Rae, Private Account Manager

There is lots of spice on the nose: both the classic Syrah black pepper note and some sweet spice from the oak. Lots of black fruit and sweet spice are felt on the palate, with a richness of fruit underpinned with a cleansing acidity that keeps everything in check. The wine is reminiscent of wines from the Northern Rhône, but is undoubtedly from a warmer climate. A very good effort.
Fergus Stewart, Fine Wine Manager