2023 Tesselaarsdal, Chardonnay, South Africa

93 points, Tim Atkin MW
"More mineral and focused than the opulent Chardonnay he makes for Hamilton Russell Vineyards, Emul Ross's Tesselaarsdal white reflects the vision of owner Berene Sauls. Fermented and aged in clay amphoras and older wood, it has notes of petrichor and gunflint, nice minerality and layers of pear and citrus fruit. 2024-29"

91 points, James Suckling
"A wild and fresh chardonnay that has oyster shells, white flowers, Asian pears and cashews on the nose. Savory, bright and lightly salty on the medium-bodied palate. Sustainable. Drink now."

91 points, Vinous
"The 2023 Chardonnay is aged 44% in amphora and the rest of used barrel. It has a well-defined bouquet with subtle yellow plum and citrus scents, just a hint of lemon curd in the background, nicely focused. The palate is taut and crisp. This Chardonnay has a fine linearity with a tensile, sapid finish beckoning you back for another sip. Lovely."

• South Africa – Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, Walker Bay • Tesselaarsdal produces refined Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, combining cool-climate finesse with a pioneering and inclusive vision in South African wine. Founded in 2015 by Berene Sauls, a protégé of Hamilton Russell, Tesselaarsdal represents one of the first Black female-owned wine brands in South Africa. The name pays homage to the hamlet of Tesselaarsdal where Berene was born, while the wines reflect her pioneering spirit and dedication to site expression. The estate focuses on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, drawing fruit from unirrigated vineyards on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. This sub-zone sits at higher elevation than the Valley below and is defined by ancient Bokkeveld Shale-derived clay soils, maritime breezes from the nearby Atlantic, and sharp day-night temperature shifts. These conditions naturally limit yields, preserve acidity, and lend the wines precision, minerality, and freshness. The Ridge is known for producing finely structured, elegant wines with depth and tension, and Tesselaarsdal captures that signature in every vintage. The wines are elegant, pure, and finely tuned, showing balance and restraint alongside distinctive site character. More than just quality, Tesselaarsdal’s story symbolizes progress and inclusivity within South Africa’s wine industry, carrying forward a legacy that is both cultural and viticultural.