Spice Route Chenin Blanc is a bold, full-flavoured style, produced using grapes predominantly from unirrigated bush vines at our Swartland vineyards.

IN THE VINEYARD:

This Chenin Blanc is from a vineyard planted in 1978 in the Swartland. These trellised vineyards are planted on a South East facing slope and are dryland farmed. The soils are predominantly koffieklip (decomposed granite and iron-rich clay)

HARVEST DATE: 11 March and 8 April 2014

WINEMAKING:

The grapes were picked at different maturity levels for this wine. The first picking was done at 21,3 degree balling, with the remaining balance picked early April, with high sugar levels and some botrytis. Bunches were gently destalked and pressed. After 48 hours settling, the portion that was picked earlier was all fermented in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and elegance and the late picked portion, showing great complexity was all fermented and matured in old French oak for 10 months, before the two components were blended and bottled.

WINEMAKER’S COMMENTS:

The first time we have ever harvested this block so late in April, our patience paid off with some botrytis present with the last picking. This added a beautiful dimension to this fantastic grape variety which will benefit from 3 or 4 years bottle age. – Enjoy! Charl du Plessis

TASTING NOTE:

Bright light yellow colour. Complex nose with tropical fruits and melon followed by a flinty notes. The palate is rich and broad, reminiscent of the koffieklip soils, with well-balanced acidity from the first picking.

[Category: Spice Route, White Wines]