During the year, I have the opportunity to visit a number of areas outside of Elgin. Occasionally, I come across something so fascinating that it deserves a closer look.
In 2016, I 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.
Restraint, minerality, freshness of fruit and a chiselled edge reflect limestone's soil properties. This 2017 vintage reveals clean, bright aromas of lemon blossom, wet chalk and powdered stones. Penetrating intensity, animated acidity with a rich mid palate weight, this wine has purity of fruit (orange peel, yellow cling peaches and grapefruit peel) lemon cream biscuits and crème fraiche textures with a long finish.
"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
"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
"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
"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
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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