GENIALER COOL TERROIR CHARDONNAY!
Es spricht sich immer mehr herum, dass die Weine von Berene Sauls Weingut TESSELAARSDAL fantastisch sind!
Erst letzte Woche wurde der TESSELAARSDAL CHARDONNAY 2022 mit 96 Punkten vom DECANTER WINE TASTING CLUB in Südafrika bewertet und euphorisch von Jaco Meyer (10. 9. 2024) beschrieben:
„When I tasted the Tesselaarsdal range for the first time, I stood still for a moment and thought: WOW!
Then I got inveigled to love this fabulous wine even more when I met the lady behind it all: Berene Sauls. Berene started off at Hamilton Russell, working as an au pair for the family and got drawn into the wine-side of things, soon to put her own label on a Chardonnay and Pinot Noir of her own. She decided to name it Tesselaarsdal, with reference to a small rural settlement outside Caledon in the Western Cape – this is where Berene grew up.
In the glass, this wine has a pale-yellow colour and it is very forthcoming on the nose. Complex notes of tropical fruit, vanilla, lemon, and yellow flowers all contribute to a rich bouquet. The entry on the palate is elegant, and the effect of the amphora can be sensed early on. It has a slightly waxy entry, with the acidity developing over time. Stone fruit, yellow apple, lemon rind, beeswax, apricot and honeycomb come through, leaving a fresh and elegant finish on the palate. It has a long finish, leaving you longing for more.
I recently presented this wine at the Decanter Wine Club, alongside a Burgundian Chardonnay and no one could confidently say which one is South African and which one is French. For me, this shows that this wine places itself on a world stage and I truly believe that it will impress wine connoisseurs even more soon. It is recommended to chill this wine well and it can be enjoyed on its own or with a creamy pasta or chicken breasts. It would not want to compete with strong spices and I would also recommend to have the little brother, the Pinot Noir, ready as the next wine in the line-up. This is a wine that should be tried by anyone who enjoys a good glass of Chardonnay!“
Vielleicht erinnern sie sich an die Geschichte - Berene hat sich vom „Au Pair“ am Weingut Hamilton Russell bis zum eigenen Weingut hoch gearbeitet.
Wenn Sie elegante, tiefgründige, cool Terroir Chardonnays lieben, sollten Sie in unbedingt probieren!
TESSELAARSDAL CHARDONNAY 2022
Berene Sauls; Hemel-en-Aarde, Südafrika
Hemel-en-aarde Ridge 100%, Un-irrigated La Vierge Vineyards; 77% in Amphoren, 23% in Eiche für 5 Monate; Restzucker: 2,6 g/l; Säure: 6,7 g/l; 615 x 6er Kisten erzeugt; 13,0 % vol.
- Notizen des Weinguts: „An elegant wine that reflects roundness and a crisp acidity with subtle defining notes of white pear and lemon toast. Reflective of site, this cool climate medium bodied wine is both silky and fresh with an elegant long finish.
The 2022 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.“
- 93 Punkte DECANTER Artikel „Hemel-en-Aarde: A Chardonnay paradise“, Any Howard MW (01/24): „Notes of fresh spice combined with citrus. Subtle oak. Bright and crisp acidity keep the palate super fresh. Berene Sauls' new venture is well worth following. Hamilton Russell winemaker Emul Ross is making the wine here, the grapes sourced from La Vierge's Babylon vineyard on the Ridge. Aged for five months with 77% in amphorae and 23% neutral wood. 2024-2028.“
- 94 Punkte GREG SHERWOOD MW
- 93 Punkte TIM ATKIN MW: „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.“
- 4,5/5 Sternen John Platter: „Understated & exceptionally elegant 2022’s honeysuckle-scented flavours of pear & Granny Smith apple gain lovely spice extra from bunch ferment in 15% older small-oak (rest 700L amphora). Improves on 2021 in its focused expression of pristine fruit. Much potential, put some away for a few years.“
- JAMES SUCKLING: „Sliced pears, apples, wet stones and pastries on the nose. Medium-bodied, bright and clean, with savory, flinty elements underlining the fresh fruit. Drink now.“
- JANCIS ROBINSON: „Made by Hamilton Russell’s winemaker for Berene Sauls, who works for Hamilton Russell Vineyards and is trying to establish the first family wine estate in Tesselaarsdal. 5 months’ ageing with 77% made in amphorae (2019 was 50% amphorae) and 23% neutral oak. Fruit from La Vierge and probably will be for the next 10 years – though she has planted in Tesselaarsdal itself (salty soil unfortunately). 5 tons of grapes.
Really lively and mineral on the nose. Really tense and grippy in a great, long, palate. Hint of grapefruit.“
- Robert Parkers WINE ADVOCATE, Anthony Mueller: „Clean, zesty and citrus-driven, the nose of the 2022 Chardonnay is fresh with hints of oak and plenty of lemon skin and yellow apple. Medium-bodied and with 13% alcohol, the palate is fresh, food-friendly and expressive before ending with a zesty, mineral-driven finish. This little beauty was made with a mix of amphora and oak to bring out and balance dusty minerality with soft, oaky essences. 2022-2031.“
- Tipp JoS (März 2023): „Mittleres Strohgelb, strahlend; angenehmer, eleganter, eher ruhiger Duft mit Aromen von Zitrusfrüchten, weißen Blüten, Mandarine, sanft geröstete Mandeln, mit Luft kommen immer mehr gelbe Früchte zum Vorschein, Orangenschale, rosa Grapefruit, Kumquat, reife Birne; am Gaumen sehr kraftvoll obwohl nur 13,0 % vol Alk, mit frischer Säure, sehr mundwässernd, intensiv, sehr dicht und sehr engmaschig, sehr präzise, auch mineralisch-salzig, dezent cremig und eher mittelgewichtig, komplex, interessant und sehr lang, frischer und sehr angenehmer Rückgeschmack. Verändert sich fortlaufend und zeigt immer wieder neue Facetten - spannend! Profitiert sehr von Luft, daher unbedingt Dekantieren. Zalto Burgunderglas. 93-94 Punkte“
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