David Finlayson Camino Africana Shale Terraces Chardonnay 2021

The 2021 David Finlayson Camino Africana Shale Terraces Chardonnay (92 points: James Suckling) signifies something truly special to David Finlayson as a winemaker, as it is part of his journey in life and wine in South Africa, hence the name, Camino Africana (The African Way). Moreover, the 2021 David Finlayson Shale Terraces Chardonnay is a truly sublime and unique Chardonnay that impresses in the best possible ways. For starters it sports a youthful luminescent glow before offering an enticing bouquet and a cornucopia of flavors – all of which made us beg for more. Savory scents and flavors of white peach, mountain apple, verbena, and bergamot infused with seductive hints of lily flowers and rosemary tantalize the nose and palate. Bright, fresh, and superbly textured, the 2021 David Finlayson Camino Africana Shale Terraces Chardonnay opens surreptitiously with each sip, revealing genuine character, complexity, and charm before exiting with a delightful flourish spiked with hints of vanilla and exotic spices. This Chardonnay truly brings its game and comes to play. For ultimate enjoyment, we suggest serving the 2021 David Finlayson Camino Africana Shale Terraces Chardonnay moderately chilled (40°-45° F). We also suggest giving this special Chardonnay a little time in the glass to fully reveal itself. Even better, lay as many bottles of this wine down as you can, as it is sure to keep on giving. Anticipated maturity: 2024-2028. Enjoy!

The 2021 David Finlayson Camino Africana Shale Terraces Chardonnay will make tried and true Chardonnay lovers as well as those who are not ardent Chardonnay aficionados beg for more, even without a morsel. Nevertheless, this wine can hold court with the finest foods brought to table. Shellfish, seafood, salads, poultry, cheeses, and rich creamy dishes all provide mouthwatering accompaniments. Classics such as Cedar Plank Salmon and Charleston Shrimp and Grits provide ideal companions. Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes, Pan Seared Scallops over a seasonal risotto with beurre blanc, and lobster with drawn butter earn high marks with this wine, too. Bouillabaisse, green curry, satays, and many Indian and Thai specialties also make tasty pairings. Pasta Primavera, and a heart-healthy Pear Salad with baby spinach, Anjou pears, candied walnuts and a mild goat cheese offer additional mouthwatering companions to David Finlayson’s delicious 2021 Camino Africana Shale Terraces Chardonnay. Bon Appétit!

“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.” – David Finlayson

David Finlayson and his family’s Edgebaston Stellenbosch wine estate have become synonymous with modern winemaking in South Africa. Originally from Scotland, the Finlayson family has for three generations made outstanding wines in Stellenbosch and has in recent years been instrumental in transforming the Cape wine industry from a dwindling domestic business to a thriving international venture receiving world-wide acclaim. For the first time and after much prompting, David Finlayson is bottling his family’s Edgebaston estate-bottled wines under his own name.

The father and son team of Walter and David Finlayson present impressive credentials. Walter made wine at South Africa’s Blaauwklippen winery for more than 15 years where he twice garnered “Diner’s Club Winemaker of the Year” awards in addition to a host of other prestigious awards. While still at Blaauwklippen, Walter purchased the now renowned Glen Carlou farm in Paarl, which he and son David transformed into one of South Africa’s leading wineries. Subsequently, Walter has become best known for producing South Africa’s wine of the year in 2005.

David continues the family’s winemaking legacy. In addition to his award winning work at Glen Carlou, David Finlayson has honed his winemaking skills at a number of prestigious addresses. David performed winemaking stints at Peter Lehmann, one of Australia’s iconic wineries, and world renowned Château Margaux before starting Edgebaston. In 2003 Walter and David sold their shares in Glen Carlou and purchased what is now Edgebaston, a beautiful estate on the hills overlooking Stellenbosch, South Africa’s premier appellation and burgeoning wine town. From the beginning, critics have lauded David Finlayson and Edgebaston’s award winning wines for their quality, value and innovation, and we count the Finlaysons and their Edgebaston winery among our best finds. Apparently, we are not alone as critics have latched on to David Finlayson’s expertise and continue to laud Edgebaston’s superb Chardonnays, Chenin Blancs, and Cabernet Sauvignons with multiple 90+ point ratings. David Finlayson’s 2021 Camino Africana Shale Terraces Chardonnay (this month’s feature) hails from a vineyard David planted when he and his father purchased the property. The vineyard was planted on terraces cut into the steepest hillside on the family home (Edgebaston) 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. Taste and see!