2021 Chenin Blanc

The 2021 Chenin Blanc is a blend of eight vineyards and 18 pickings, matured for 11 months in neutral Frenchoak and 18% in concrete. It has a very cohesive bouquet with lemon verbena, lanolin, ginger and orange rind aromas. The palate is very well balanced with a saline entry, fine grip, touches of sour lemon and orange rind, quite persistent towards the finish. Superb.

Full bottle 1,358 g. A blend from eight Old Vine Project certified vineyards with having been planted from 1968 until 1986 and 18 different pickings. The wine is based on granite from the Paardeberg, blended with shale/schist from the east, more clay-rich soils from the north and iron-rich soils from the western parts of the Swartland. Dry-farmed bush vines withstand dry heat which is why this producer concentrates on that variety. Grapes were whole-bunch pressed and naturally fermented and then matured for 11 months in old neutral French oak barrels. Two components were fermented and matured in concrete (18% concrete in total) – one in a square concrete tank and the other in a concrete egg. The wine has a Certified Heritage Vineyards (CHV) seal. RS 2.5 g/l. Super-tangy nose. Honeycomb scents, broad floral palate and very gentle acidity with just a little (attractive) kumquat-peel bitterness on the end. Already approachable but this should last very well too. Incredible persistence! (JR)