2022 Tesselaarsdal Chardonnay — Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge
Professional consensus: 90–94 points. Notable scores include 94 Greg Sherwood MW, 93 Decanter, 92 Tim Atkin MW, 91 James Suckling, 91 Wine Enthusiast, 91 Wine Spectator, and 90+ Wine Advocate.
Tasting profile: Elegant and cool-climate in style, with pear, green apple, lemon, grapefruit, white peach, citrus blossom, wet stone, flinty minerality and subtle nutmeg spice. Bright, energetic acidity gives the wine terrific tension, while amphora and neutral oak contribute a silky texture without overwhelming the fruit. The finish is long, fresh, saline and beautifully mineral-driven.
Winemaking: 100% Chardonnay from the La Vierge Babylon vineyard, with 77% aged in amphora and 23% in neutral wood for five months. Alcohol is 12.88%, reinforcing its refined, restrained character.
Bottom line: This is a serious, Burgundian-leaning South African Chardonnay—taut, mineral, elegant and remarkably fresh rather than rich or buttery. It has the kind of precision that makes the 93–94 point scores particularly convincing.
Decanter 93 Pts.
Notes of fresh spice combined with citrus. Subtle oak. Bright and crisp acidity keeps 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.
James Suckling 91 Pts.
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.
Wine Enthusiast 91 Pts.
This lively white hails from high-altitude vineyards in the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, a cool climate region. It exhibits inviting green and citrus aromas and has an oily texture and energized acidity backing flavors of white peach and linden tea. Bright notes of lime run through the palate.
Wine Spectator 91 Pts.
Crisp and appealing, with a lightly chalky texture carrying well-meshed flavors of ripe Gala apple, slivered almond, pickled ginger and stony mineral. Clean-cut finish, with a waft of white blossoms. Drink now through 2026. 300
cases made, 150 cases imported.
