2019 Chenin Blanc Reserve

Full bottle 1,588 g. Low-yielding vines planted in 1972, which were originally planted as bush vines but were recently lifted onto trellises. Picked in three different passes in order to achieve  optimum ripeness and balance in the final wine. The grapes were hand-picked in the early morning hours, with bunch selection done in the vineyard. Fruit was cooled down and then gently whole-bunch pressed. Juice settled overnight without the use of settling enzymes. Fermentation in 20% new French oak barrels, using indigenous yeasts, with about 20% of the volume completing malolactic fermentation. On lees in barrel for 10 months, without bâtonnage. Agglomerate cork. TA 5.6 g/l, pH 3.37, RS 2.5 g/l. Pale gold. The nose opens with a cheesy oak tone that melds into baking spices, hazelnut and jasmine tea leaves, with a fleshy, white-peach fruit tone at its core. A wealth of flavour density on the palate that gives… presence. Powerful style. Long and creamy, with enough acidity both to hold it in check and to give the ageworthiness that this wine can offer. (TJ)