SCHIST Chenin Blanc 2014

The Tb points given to this wine are the world’s most valid and most up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.

Varietals: 100% Chenin Blanc

Wine of Origin: Swartland

Source of Grapes: Grapes for our 2014 Schist Chenin come from two parcels of sustainably farmed Chenin Blanc planted in the stony Shale and Schist based soils of the Kasteelberg, aged 36 and 40 years old. These are the parcels of Chenin that gives the best expression of the Kasteelberg’s terroir–density and structure–but with a decent balance of acidity.

Winemaking: Grapes are chilled in our cold room then pressed wholebunch and the juice is allowed to settle overnight. Minimal SO2 is added and, as with all our wines, no other additions are made. The juice is then racked to barrel for fermentation. Fermentation is with indigenous yeasts, and lasts for about 4 weeks. The wine is left in barrels on its lees until spring , during which time malolactic fermentation has completed. The barrels are racked and blended just before the following vintage and bottled unfiltered.

Maturation: 12 months in older (3rd and 4th fill) French oak barrels

Tasting Note: Lemon-straw in colour, this wine has a nose of ripe citrus fruits, cream and cloves. The palate is full and broad with a creamy texture, great structure and a fresh, clove-like finish. Best served at about 12°C, this wine will show optimally if decanted when drunk within the first 3 years after bottling.