Chenin is an extremely versatile grape, able to make excellent wines in many different guises, from Late harvest to Straw wine to classic dry Chenin and even Méthode Champenoise. This example is a wonderfully lively, fruity and beautifully balanced dry Chenin Blanc. With flavours of pears, sherbet and flint there is plenty of leesy mouthfeel and juicy fruit, whilst finishing with a refreshing mineral length. A true noble varietal, Chenin deserves to be taken seriously –even for everyday drinking wines such as this.
in the vineyard : The vineyards are predominantly old bush vines in the Helderberg area of Stellenbosch. These vineyards are located on soils on Ocean-facing, decomposed granite slopes, benefiting from maritime breezes. All fruit is hand-picked. Relatively low-yielding (under 40 hl / ha). 2007 started as a blisteringly hot vintage for the whites (temperatures up to 47C in the two weeks prior to harvest), resulting in early picking of the Chenin, at the end of January. (Unusually, in late February, a period of intense rain and cold weather pushed back harvest for certain of the reds varieties. So a vintage of contrast –finishing with an incredibly beautiful Indian Summer, well into April).
about the harvest: The secret of the Chenin harvest this vintage being to ensure that the grapes did not become over-ripe, thus making alcohols too high and losing natural acidity and crispness. This was achieved through careful canopy management in the vineyards and elimination of any shriveled or sunburned grapes. Separate parcels picked individually at varying ripeness, in order to build good complexity of acidity, fruit, depth and minerality. Vinified with minimum skin contact, using free run juice only. Reductively handled to obtain fresh, clear juice.