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Wine Description
The Story
VINEYARDS: Old vine Chenin blanc (vineyards aged 34 and 39) from both the Bot River and Swartland region, blended with a 12 year old Verdelho vineyard from Bot River. Bokkeveld shale and clay (Bot River), decomposed granite and sand (Swartland).
WINEMAKING: The Verdelho is always the 1st grape to ripen in this white blend. Grapes are picked early while flavors are slightly more towards the lemon/lime profile, thereby preserving natural acid and a healthy pH for good aging potential, freshness and vibrance. The Verdelho portion was whole berry skin-fermented for 7 days before pressing into old barrels for the last part of the ferment and maturation. Time on the skins resulted in a more textured, layered wine, with some delicate spice to the nose.
The Chenin blanc grapes were picked at 21 to 22 Balling. The grapes were whole bunch basket-pressed, allowing some air to partly oxidize the juice. The juice settled for a day, without adding any enzymes or sulphur, and then taken to old, 400L French oak barrels for natural fermentation and maturation. Some fine lees were added back to the juice in barrel to allow more complex characters to develop during it’s time in barrel.
The Chenin and Verdelho were blended 2 months before bottling, allowing integration of the different components.
Time in old oak : 10 months.