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.
"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
"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
- 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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