| Quartz Stone has long stood as a reference point for Chardonnay at Glen Carlou, its name inseparable from the distinctive quartz-rich soils that first defined its character. With the 2024 vintage, that legacy enters a new chapter. Much like nature itself, refinement often comes through adaptation. In the pursuit of greater aromatic complexity, depth, and structural harmony, the winemaking team began exploring select Chardonnay vineyards whose individual strengths could elevate the final wine beyond what a single block could achieve alone, as we did for the first time this past year with our Gravel Quarry Cabernet Sauvignon 2022. The intention was clear: to remain true to the essence of Quartz Stone and the site that gave this special wine its name, while allowing the wine to grow into a more complete and expressive whole. Quartz remains the philosophical and stylistic anchor of the wine. It is still the guiding principle. Not merely a soil type, but a symbol of clarity, tension, and quiet power. The selected vineyards were chosen with this in mind: sites that echo the freshness, precision, and mineral line for which Quartz Stone is known, but also contributing additional layers of subtlety and structure. Cellarmaster Johnnie Calitz reflects on this evolution as a natural progression rather than a reinvention. “Blending gives us the opportunity to build complexity without sacrificing identity,” he explains. “Each vineyard brings something distinct – aromatics, texture, energy – but the goal is always harmony. Quartz Stone must still speak with a clear, confident voice.” Hand-harvested and meticulously sorted, only the first 50% of the most refined free-run juice was chosen for Quartz Stone. This pristine juice was allowed to settle naturally before undergoing spontaneous fermentation. Maturation took place predominantly in new French oak (90%), complemented by 10% fermented and aged in a specialised egg-shaped Nomblot concrete vessel to enhance texture and purity. The wine was kept on its gross lees for 12 months, after which only a carefully selected range of individual barrels was chosen for final assembly and bottling as Quartz Stone. The result is a Chardonnay of striking composure and clarity. Aromatically expressive, it reveals layers of citrus blossom, ripe stone fruit, and subtle notes of butterscotch and fragrant spices. On the palate, a precise line of acidity carries flavours of lemon curd, green apple, and melon, supported by a finely textured mid-palate and a long, mineral finish. Quartz Stone Chardonnay 2024 is both a continuation and a considered evolution – a wine that honours its origins while embracing the belief that, sometimes, the whole can indeed be greater than the sum of its parts. It is built not only for immediate pleasure, but with the structure and balance to reward patient cellaring over the next 8–12 years. Get some here |