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Kershaw Chardonnay GPS Series Lower Duivenhoks River
Richard Kershaw Wines
South Africa - Western Cape - Cape South Coast - Elgin

Thoughout the year, Richard Kershaw has the opportunity to visit a number of areas outside of Elgin. Occasionally, he comes across something so fascinating that it deserves a closer look. In 2016, he discovered a small parcel of Chardonnay grapes growing on limestone soils - a rarity in the Western Cape. With limestone often touted as beneficial for Chardonnay grapes, it made sense to grasp this opportunity with both hands. The GPS Series is testament to these special places and celebrates them.

Pale straw in color. Appealing aromas of yellow peach, fresh bread dough and baked apple with cinnamon. There is ripeness and intensity to the GPS Chardonnay with a creaminess of texture and almost mid-palate sweetness that displays pineapple tart, peach melba, orange peel oil and apricot clafoutis. This mid-palate fleshiness and depth of flavor are kept beautifully in check by the cleansing tension of acidity. An elongated finish unfolds further nuances: unburnt joss sticks, pine needles, slivered almonds and oat pithiness.

Specifications
Appellation
Cape South Coast - Elgin
Wine Type
White
Varietal(s)
100% Chardonnay
Vinification
Grapes were hand-picked, placed into small lug baskets and tipped directly into a press before being gently whole-bunch pressed up to a maximum of 0.6 bar or until a low juice recovery of 590 litres per ton was obtained. The juice gravity-flowed directly to barrel (no pumps) without settling. The unclarified juice had no enzymes or yeast added to it and therefore underwent spontaneous fermentation until dry, with malolactic discouraged. The wine rested in Burgundian oak barrels for 4 months prior to judicious sulphuring and a further 7 months
Production
255 (9-liter cases)

Reviews and News

2019 Kershaw Chardonnay GPS Series Lower Duivenhoks River - 93 PTS - W&S

2019 Kershaw Chardonnay GPS Series Lower Duivenhoks River - 93 PTS - W&S

wine and spirits logo 250"Richard Kershaw, MW, sources this chardonnay from a plot of limestone soils along South Africa’s southern coast. He ferments and ages the juice in French oak barrels (in 2019, they were 20 percent new, the rest split between first and second use) for a total of 11 months. It’s extravagant chardonnay, communicating its coastal provenance in the energy and freshness of its fruit, a character which shines through the intense brioche-and-mushroom savor. More delicate resinous and hazelnut flavors peek out at the edges. The panel enjoyed the wine for its energy derived from the “juxtaposition between its evolved notes and the fresh fruit,” as Mary Gorman, MW, put it."

- Wine & Spirits (February 2023), 93 pts

 

2019 Kershaw Chardonnay GPS Series Lower Duivenhoks River - 93 PTS - VINOUS

2019 Kershaw Chardonnay GPS Series Lower Duivenhoks River - 93 PTS - VINOUS

vinous logo"The 2019 Chardonnay GPS Series Lower Duivenhoks River has a detailed, focused bouquet of orchard fruit, apple blossom and touches of struck flint. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity and touches of quince and tangerine peel, revealing very good weight toward the finish. Excellent. - Neal Martin"

- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (November 2021), 93 pts

 

2019 Kershaw Chardonnay GPS Series Lower Duivenhoks River - 93 PTS - TA

2019 Kershaw Chardonnay GPS Series Lower Duivenhoks River - 93 PTS - TA

tim atkin logo 250"Rare in the Cape for being grown on limestone soils, especially outside the Robertson region, this is a correspondingly bright, tangy Chardonnay with nutty, subtly wooded flavours, a twist of vanilla spice and a racy finish. 2021-25"

- Tim Atkin, South Africa Report 2021, 93 pts

 

2019 Kershaw Chardonnay GPS Series Lower Duivenhoks River - 93 PTS - JS

2019 Kershaw Chardonnay GPS Series Lower Duivenhoks River - 93 PTS - JS

james suckling hq logo plainInviting aromas of white peaches, lemon curd, flint and rosemary. Medium-bodied with supple texture. Saline mineral character adds complexity and succulence to the warm citrus and stone fruit notes. Layered and evolves as it goes on. Drink or hold."

- James Suckling (November 2022), 93 pts

 

2017 Kershaw Chardonnay GPS Series Lower Duivenhoks River - 93 PTS - VINOUS

2017 Kershaw Chardonnay GPS Series Lower Duivenhoks River - 93 PTS - VINOUS

vinous logo"The 2017 GPS Chardonnay has a killer bouquet, just like the 2016, the mineral-rich aromatics soaring from the glass with fantastic delineation that actually reminds me of Domaine Leflaive. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, and a little more saline than the previous vintage, although maybe not quite as persistent. Still, this is an outstanding Chardonnay from Kershaw and it will give 12 to 15 years of drinking pleasure. - Neal Martin"

- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (November 2019), 93 pts

 

2017 Kershaw Chardonnay GPS Series Lower Duivenhoks River - 93 PTS - IWR

2017 Kershaw Chardonnay GPS Series Lower Duivenhoks River - 93 PTS - IWR

i winereview logo"Delicate, precise nose with hints of lemon and flint. A finely sculpted wine that evokes oyster shells, savory sage. Mandarin pith and lemon zest notes persist on the extended finish. Made entirely from Dijon clone CY95. Part of the GPS Series, the vineyard lies east of Agulhas and 5 km from the sea on an escarpment of clay over limestone. Sees about 40% new 228L oak."

- International Wine Review (Richard Kershaw Lifts Elgin To New Heights, February 2019), 93 pts

Go To Kershaw Chardonnay GPS Series Lower Duivenhoks River

 

2017 Kershaw Chardonnay GPS Series Lower Duivenhoks River - 90 PTS - WA

2017 Kershaw Chardonnay GPS Series Lower Duivenhoks River - 90 PTS - WA

wa"While it's not Elgin fruit, the nose of the 2017 GPS Lower Duivenhoks River Chardonnay begins focused with yellow apples and zippy acid-driven lemon skin. The palate is clean and oaked with a spicy line through the mid-palate that lingers onto the finish. It's an elegant wine with a well-balanced finish that is food friendly. Kershaw is making this wine from Chardonnay clone 95 and was able to fill 2,700 bottles. - Anthony Mueller"

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #245, October 2019), 90 pts

Go To Kershaw Chardonnay GPS Series Lower Duivenhoks River

 

Producer Information: Richard Kershaw Wines

Richard Kershaw wines was founded in 2012, by Master of Wine Richard Kershaw. Richard’s mission is to focus on noble grapes and create clonally selected, site-specific, cool climate wines in ...
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