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Safriel House is a family owned wine house that is founded upon a passion for, and working experience of South African vineyards and wine making.

We would love to share our story with you, so make sure you read about how we came into being, who we are and the story behind our labels.

 

Barrel Fermented Reserve Chenin Blanc 2018 (Other vintage: 2020) Award Winner Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trading Fair Trade Integrity and Sustainability Certified

Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc Label
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.

Chenin Blanc bsuh vineWe 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 two blocks 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 two blocks are 26 and 32 years old and planted in decomposed granite and Glenrosa soils. The vines are allowed to grow as small bush vines with no irrigation or artificial canopy and are thus in natural balance, giving a low yield of 7 tons per hectare to enhance fruit complexity. The vineyard and the cellar are certified for Sustainability & Integrity as well as Fair and Ethical Trade.

In the Winery

The grapes are harvested by hand 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 - 13.62% Vol; PH - 3.33; RS - 4.7 g/l; TA - 5.9 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:
92 points - JS Wine Ratings
91 points - John Platter Wine Guide 2020
90 points - Tim Atkin
Gold Medal - Sommeliers Choice Awards of America 2020

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Lynne

 

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."

 

 

 

 

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