David Finlayson Camino Africana Chardonnay 2021
A mouthwatering White, with racy acidity driving flavors of pink grapefruit glace, blood orange sorbet, lemon thyme, anise and crushed anise.
Hand-picked into 30 lb boxes that were then loaded by hand into the press. Whole bunch pressing took place immediately, before settling overnight – after which the wine was fermented spontaneously in brand new French (Dargaud & Jaegle) 300 litre oak barrels, for 14 months. Partial malolactic fermentation was allowed to take place naturally, after which the wine rested and matured at 46 F for 14 months. It was then filtered and bottled in the hopes that people would cellar it for medium to long term, and serve it as a food wine. The idea behind this wine – and all the Camino Africana wines – is to let the vineyard speak, through the wine, void of winemaker manipulation.
92 points James Suckling “Aromas of white peach, sliced lemon, rosemary and lily. Medium-bodied with a silky texture. The palate begins bright and fresh, but gains in savory appeal as it goes on. Green apple comes through at the finish.”
This vineyard is 19 years old and was planted by David Finlayson on terraces he cut into the steepest hillside on his home (Edgebaston) property in Stellenbosch. The trellis system is low to the ground and uncommon in South Africa as it produces very low yields and small bunches. The vineyard is hand farmed and processed only with organic principles in mind. It has been a 16 year project that is now beginning to deliver the results. David – “This wine signifies something truly special to me as a winemaker and is part of my journey in life and wine in South Africa, hence the name, Camino Africana, (The African Way)”.
