Barrel Fermented Reserve Chenin Blanc 2020 (Previous
vintages: 2018)
Our Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc is made in very limited
quantities. This wine is a product of both hard work and good
fortune, the former likely leading to the latter. During our
extensive travels through the winelands looking for hidden vineyard
gems, we happened to meet the wine buyer for a major South African
chain. He was a very approachable person and as we were comparing
notes on various farms and vineyards, he told us about a cellar
that's owned jointly by a group of farmers where he buys some of his
wines. One of those farms, has a dryland bush vine Chenin Blanc
vineyard that has been used in legendary wines. The volume of wine
made from
this vineyard would be too small for his large chain but it would be of
amazing quality and he suggested that we contact them and perhaps we
can convince them to allow us access to that fruit.
South Africa is the oldest wine producing country in the new world
and the story of our vineyard reaches back to 1699 when a Mr.
Dippenauw was granted an enormous farm by his employer, the Dutch
East India Company who operated the Cape Colony. It is uncertain
whether this was a reward for his good work or whether he was cast
into the wilderness because he married dangerously to a sister of
Adam Tas, diarist of the early colonial Cape and political rebel
subsequently imprisoned by the Governor. What is known is that the
newlywed couple was so overwhelmed by the farm’s isolation from Cape
Town at that time that they named it Solitude. The farm has been in the hands of the same family
since 1775.
We traced the contact person, spoke on the phone and eventually met the
key people face-to-face. We learnt more about the vineyard and spoke of
the wine that we could all be proud of. We are proud to share this
wine - certified for Sustainability & Integrity as well as Fair and
Ethical Trade - with the world. A hidden gem, whose wine is no longer hidden.
The Vineyard
The grapes for this select wine originate from a single heritage 36
year old block on the
same farm in the Agter-Paarl appellation, one of the
premier regions for Chenin Blanc. This farm was granted in 1699 and
has been in the same family since 1775. The decomposed granite
and Glenrosa soils are deep and strong in structure. The vines are
allowed to grow as small bush vines with no irrigation or artificial
canopy, only relying on winter rainfall. Without irrigation, dry land crops weigh less, with smaller bunches and smaller berries that need to be picked by hand
giving a low yield of 7 tons per hectare. There is a rich reward for enduring these tough conditions
as most of the flavour is just under the skin, so with less juice and more skin,
there is a higher flavour concentration. Intensive vineyard management, including using cover crops for water retention and natural pest control (with no chemical pesticides), protects the vine and ensures the ecosystem is in balance. The vineyard and the
cellar are certified for Sustainability & Integrity as well as Fair
and Ethical Trade.
In the Winery
The grapes were harvested by hand one month before the equinox and delivered to the winery in crates.
The grapes are destemmed and the juice kept in contact with the skins for 3 hours. Only free
run juice is used and great care is taken to ensure that the juice is clear
before fermentation starts so that the pure, concentrated
fruitiness of the dry land grapes is infused into the wines.
Fermentation takes place in smaller French oak barrels for
complexity and in tank for freshness. The wine is then batonaged
once a month for three months after fermentation and aged in barrel
for a further 10 months.
Technical details: ALC - 13.99% Vol; PH - 3.42; RS - 2.9 g/l; TA - 5.7 g/l
Tasting Notes
The wine is made in a new world style: rich, complex, aromatic with
fruit and structure. The careful winemaking techniques combined with
the age-old traditions of Dry Land viticulture resulted in a Chenin
Blanc that is true to its varietal and this illustrious region.
Citrus, pear, peach and pineapple notes are evident in the aromatics
of this wine. The palate boasts hints of citrus, litchi and vanilla,
while the finish is crisp with a well-defined acidity. In the
tradition of classic fine South African wines, this wine is ready to
drink now and will continue to gain further complexity with aging
for up to 5 years.
Pair with Brie, cheddar and aged Gouda. The wine will elevate
salads, seafood, chicken or fish in a creamy, sweet & sour or chili
sauces and Asian dishes.
Awards:
91 points - Wine Enthusiast
91 points - John Platter Wine Guide
90 points - Wine Spectator
90 points - Tim Atkin South Africa Special Report
Gold Medal - Sommeliers Choice Awards of America
Lynne Safriel's thoughts: "This wine has structure and backbone but is not heavy. Perfect when you want a serious white wine that won't weigh you down."
