2020 Clonal Selection Chardonnay
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Tasting notes
Full bottle 1,371 g. A blend of various vineyard parcels. A drift of smoky caramel on the nose. Honeyed-hazelnut and cedar oakiness, almost too much, but the creamy fruit stands up to it, leans into it, uses its curves and spice for structure and turns to pear tarte Tatin. Clementine, tangerine, pomelo and underneath that, dried apricots. Very creamy acidity with only the most subtle prickle of lemon zest. (TC)
Critic scores
Average Score
Tamlyn Currin, jancisrobinson.com
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
Bursting with seductive aromas of popcorn kernel, citrus blossom and yellow apples, the 2020 Clonal Selection Elgin Chardonnay displays quince and pear skin with elegant cashew butter and lemon pastry cream. Medium to full-bodied and with 13.8% alcohol, the palate is focused, with finesse and plenty of elegant oak spices from the 53% new French oak; it has nutty, leesy and vanilla elements. Sweet citrus notions wade across the mid-palate before ending with a long, lingering and spicy finish. Just under 5,300 bottles were produced of this devastatingly gorgeous Chardonnay that has me wanting to finish the glass. It will be hard to keep your hands off it, but your patience will be rewarded if you can give it at least one more year in the bottle.
The 2020 Chardonnay Kershaw Clonal Selection Elgin has a more introspective bouquet with yellow fruit, crushed stone and a subtle lanolin note. There is just a touch of reduction. The palate is medium-bodied with a satisfying weight, superb acidity, and again, just a soupçon of reduction with nectarine and subtle ginger notes fanning out on the finish. There is a brooding intensity at play here. Excellent.