Kanu Chenin Blanc 2008

Name: Kanu Chenin Blanc 2008
Brand: Kanu
SKU: 20075

Pale straw colour. Intriguing nose of green melon, nectarines and honeysuckle contrasting with a more savoury celery salt character. Playful spiciness lingers in the background. A broad mid-palate underpinned by a lively apply acid structure. Lifted floral notes make this wine multidimensional in character.

Serve at 12° - 15° C. An ideal summer wine to be enjoyed with salads, chargrilled artichokes in olive oil or platters of ripe summer fruit. Also matches fresh line fish and light, cream-based pastas. A perfect picnic wine.

variety : Chenin Blanc [ 87% Chenin Blanc, 4% Sauvignon Blanc, 4% Viognier, 5% Chenin Blanc Noble Late Harvest ]

winery : Kanu Wines

winemaker : Richard Kershaw

wine of origin : Coastal

analysis : alc : 13.39 % vol rs : 8.4 g/l pH : 3.27 ta : 6.2 g/l so2 : 137 mg/l fso2 : 36 mg/l

type : White style : Dry body : Full taste : Fruity

pack : Bottle closure : Cork

AWARDS

Kanu Chenin Blanc Wooded 1999 awarded the coveted title of 'Chenin Blanc Champion 2001' as featured in the SA Wine Magazine's Chenin Blanc Challenge; voted the 'Diners Club Winemaker of the Year 2002' with the Kanu Chenin 2001; and, believe or not, the 'Chenin Blanc Challenge 2002' was won again by Kanu in 2002, for Kanu Chenin Blanc Wooded 2000.
2000 Vintage: Top 10 Tri Nations Challenge 2003 (Other White Wines).
2001 Vintage: **** : reviewed SATWS 2002; ***(*) SA Wine Magazine - February 2002 issue; Silver medal at the Fairbairn Capital SA Trophy Wine Show 2002.
2002 Vintage : Gold at the Michelangelo Awards 2002.
2003 Vintage: Silver at the SANWS Young Wine Show 2003; Silver at the Michelangelo Awards 2003; 87/100 Best Buy USA Wine Spectator; ***(*) in John Platter. Bronze medal at the Fairbairn Capital Trophy Wine Show 2004. Gold Status at the Rendez-Vous du Chenin 2004 in France.
2004 Vintage: 90/100 Best Buy in USA Wine Enthusiast - November 2005 edition
2005 Vintage: 4 stars in John Platter; Wine Spectator Score: 87/100
2006 Vintage: Wine Spectator Score: 85/100
2007 Vintage: Wine Spectator Score: 87/100
2008 Vintage: Wine Spectator selection: Best value, 87/100 - 30 June 2009, 2010 Best Value Guide; Wine Enthusiast: 87/100

ageing : 2009-2013

in the vineyard : Soil Type: Various
Age of vines: On average older than 31 years
Trellising: Mostly bush vines
Vine Density: 2,000 - 4,000 vines per hectare
Yield: Relatively low
Irrigation: Mostly dryland, some drip and overhead

The vineyards are optimally situated at two to three hundred meters above sea level in the Koelenhof area in Stellenbosch as well as Stellenbosch Kloof.

about the harvest: Picking date: 12 - 28 February
Grape Sugar: Average 23° B
Acidity: Various
pH at harvest: Various

The grapes were hand picked from low yielding bush vines, averaging 31 years for the Chenin Blanc.

in the cellar : After being lightly crushed the grapes were allowed skin contact for 2 – 4 hours after which the free run and pressed juices were separated. The free run juice was cold fermented at 12° - 15° C. 3% of the juice underwent natural fermentation in 2nd fill barrels and left on its lees for 5 months. The remainder was inoculated with a select yeast culture and fermented in stainless steel tanks. Reductive winemaking techniques were used to ensure minimal contact with oxygen, thus preserving the fruit character. The wine underwent lees contact for 5 months for added complexity and mouth feel, where after blending took place. Noble Late Harvest Chenin Blanc added to the blend ensures spicy nuances and Viognier for florality.

Total production: 13,525 x 12
Fermentation temperature: 13° - 16° C
Wood ageing: None

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