Tesselaarsdal · Chardonnay · 2022
Tesselaarsdal Chardonnay 2022 is a cool-climate South African white with a silky texture, crisp acidity, and an elegant, lingering finish. White pear and lemon toast bring depth to its medium-bodied palate, balancing rounded richness with refreshing lift.
Producer & Heritage
Tesselaarsdal was founded in 2015 by long-standing Hamilto...Show More >
Tesselaarsdal · Chardonnay · 2022
Tesselaarsdal Chardonnay 2022 is a cool-climate South African white with a silky texture, crisp acidity, and an elegant, lingering finish. White pear and lemon toast bring depth to its medium-bodied palate, balancing rounded richness with refreshing lift.
Producer & Heritage
Tesselaarsdal was founded in 2015 by long-standing Hamilton Russell Vineyards employee Berene Sauls. It is named after the historic Overberg farming hamlet of Tesselaarsdal—not far from the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge wine appellation—where Berene was born, a descendant of the freed slaves who were bequeathed the land of the Tesselaarsdal valley by former Dutch East India Company soldier Johannes Tesselaar’s widow in 1832.
Expert Reviews
James Suckling, 91 Points: Sliced pears, apples, wet stones and pastries on the nose. Medium-bodied, bright and clean, with savory, flinty elements underlining the fresh fruit.
Wine Enthusiast, 91 Points: 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 Points: 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.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 90+ Points: 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. Rating: 90+
Producer Notes · Historical Estate Background
The following producer account is preserved from the supplied listing. Its vineyard plans describe the estate’s aspirations at the time of writing, rather than a verified current planting or harvest status.
The Present
Fifteen years after starting my career in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Anthony Hamilton Russell offered me the wonderful opportunity to join the rest of the Hemel-en-Aarde area as a producer. Today, with the expert assistance of Hamilton Russell Vineyards wine maker, Emul Ross and the Hamilton Russell Vineyards team, I wholly own Tesselaarsdal Wines.
Grape purchases are secured with Babylon Vineyards, Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge (unirrigated vineyards)—until Tesselaarsdal’s vineyards is secured and ready for harvest. I will focus production on Pinot Noir as our climate and soil type is best suited for this cultivar.
The Future
The Tesselaarsdal Wines dream is to create wines from its own vineyards in Tesselaarsdal, Overberg. In 2019 we acquired 16 hectares which will be planted with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Tasting Notes
Subtle white pear and lemon toast notes meet a silky, medium-bodied palate. Rounded richness is balanced by crisp acidity, with an elegant finish that lingers. For wine lovers seeking freshness alongside texture, this 2022 Chardonnay offers an appealing balance of both.
Serving & Pairing Suggestions
Serve chilled with grilled fish, roast chicken, or creamy mushroom pasta, or share a bottle over an unhurried dinner.
Wine Details
- Producer: Tesselaarsdal
- Founder: Berene Sauls
- Grape: Chardonnay
- Vintage: 2022
- Region: Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge
- Country: South Africa
- Bottle size: 750ml
- Style: Cool-climate, medium-bodied white
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