Chardonnay Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge 2021

TESSELAARSDAL WINES

Chardonnay Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge
2021

  • Sustainable
Country
South Africa
Regulated designation
Wine of origin (WO)
Region
Western Cape
Subregion
Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge
Varietal(s)
Chardonnay 100 %
Colour
White
Sugar
Dry
Producer's website

About this winery

Tesselaarsdal, owned and operated by Berene Sauls is named after the small village where she grew up. Tesselaarsdal is situated 24 km North East of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Hermanus in the Overberg region. The village has a unique history, East India Company settler Johannes Tesselaar, left his land to his freed slaves to farm upon his death in 1810. After working at Hamilton Russell vineyards in various roles for 15 years, Anthony Hamilton Russell offered to assist Berene in starting her own...

See the TESSELAARSDAL WINES detail page for more information on this brand

Product notes

The 2021 growing season had a fair amount of rain falling before the grapes started to ripen. This did not have a negative effect as the natural irrigation helped to reduce stress levels on the vines, allowing them to function optimally during the ripening period. The accumulation of cold units in the early winter was fantastic for breaking dormancy. Winter rainfall was lower than in the previous season but still sufficient to replenish soil profiles. The vineyards had even budburst and the initial growth was also even, mainly due to higher than normal maximum and minimum temperatures during September. Grape quality was very favourable, leading to an exceptional vintage.

Tasting notes

The 2021 Pinot Noir classically displays the pristine fruit from the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. Revealing notes of red cherries, cranberries and raspberries combined with hints of nutmeg and clove spices. Elegant and age-worthy wine.

Press reviews

Greg Sherwood MW

- 94 points -

April 2022 (Vintage 2021)

This is a supremely elegant, taut mineral expression of cool climate Chardonnay with classically restrained aromatics of green pear, Granny Smith apple, crushed gravel, dried green herbs and hints of white citrus and tangerine peel. Like the subtle aromatics, the palate shows incredible tension and vibrancy but again without overt obvious opulence. This wine is a masterclass in elegance and restraint showing a cool, lean, crystalline palate built around minerality, electric acids, and a lean old world elegance. This is undoubtedly next level quality and intensity for the Tesselaarsdal Chardonnay. Drink this taut focused effort now and over the next 8+ years. Really impressive.

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Greg Sherwood MW

- 92 points -

Greg Sherwood, December 2020 (Vintage 2020)

This is another accomplished Chardonnay from Tesselaarsdal that boasts a breath and depth of textural opulence making the maiden 2019 vintage look more like a chiselled Premier Cru Chablis in comparison. The 2020 nose boasts classic notes of spicy yellow citrus, green honeydew melon, white peach and a bold limestone mineral vein. The wine coats your mouth with a fine glycerol weight and delicious mouth-watering green apple pastille notes enlivened with pronounced tangy acids. Seamless and harmonious, Berene Sauls has created another attractive expression of premium Chardonnay that is ready to drink on release.

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Tim Atkin MW

- 92 points -

Tim Atkin MW, September 2023 (Vintage 2022)

Made at Hamilton Russell by Emul Ross, Berene Sauls' Chardonnay uses fruit from the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. Fermented in clay amphoras and older oak, it's a fresh, tangy, nicely understated style with lots of zip and energy, subtle nutmeg spice and a citrus and lemongrass core.

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Tim Atkin MW

- 92 points -

Tim Atkin MW, September 2021 (Vintage 2020)

It's hard to believe that Tesselaarsdal made its first wine as recently as 2015, such has been the success of the brand. This stylish Chardonnay all comes from La Vierge's vineyards and combines stone fruit sweetness with very low-key oak and mineral freshness.

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Vinous

- 91 points -

August 2023 (Vintage 2023)

The 2023 Chardonnay is aged 44% in amphora and the rest of used barrel. It has a well-defined bouquet with subtle yellow plum and citrus scents, just a hint of lemon curd in the background, nicely focused. The palate is taut and crisp. This Chardonnay has a fine linearity with a tensile, sapid finish beckoning you back for another sip. Lovely.

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James Suckling

- 91 points -

December 2022 (Vintage 2022)

Sliced pears, apples, wet stones and pastries on the nose. Medium-bodied, bright and clean, with savory, flinty elements underlining the fresh fruit.

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Vinous

- 91 points -

Neal Martin, April 2021 (Vintage 2020)

The 2020 Chardonnay Tesselaarsdal includes partial whole bunch, fermented in amphorae. The lovely nose of almond, marzipan, dried honey and chamomile is beautifully defined. The palate is very well balanced, with a fine bead of acidity, and citrus fresh, offering orange peel and light chai tea notes toward the finish. Very fine.

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