Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc Steen op Hout 2011

A powerful nose of guava, lime zest and ripe pear braced by honeysuckle and orange blossoms. A juicy palate with opulent passion-fruit, following through from the nose and finishing off with tart grapefruit characteristics. The refreshing acidity is perfectly counteracted by a creamy mid palate and subtle oak-derived spice. The 2011 vintage is a more fruit-driven style that is fresher and drier comparing to the 2010 vintage. A delightfully accessible wine that is mouth-wateringly moreish.

Serve at 12° - 15° C. Partner with shellfish; grilled tuna; grilled sardines; lemon and herb roast chicken; vegetable stews; Bobotie - South African/Malay dish of baked savoury mince served with saffron rice; and biltong.

variety : Chenin Blanc [ 97% Chenin Blanc, 3% Viognier ]
winemaker : Richard Kershaw
wine of origin : Western Cape
analysis : alc : 13.92 % vol  rs : 4.3 g/l  pH : 3.38  ta : 5.6 g/l  so2 : 122 mg/l  fso2 : 35 mg/l  
type : White  style : Off Dry   wooded
pack : Bottle  closure : Cork  

AWARDS
  • 96 Vintage: SAA listing
  • 97 Vintage: 4 Stars Wine Magazine - February 1998 edition
  • 98 Vintage: 4 Stars Wine Magazine - February 1999 edition
  • judged a close 2nd in the Wine Magazine's 1999 Chenin Blanc Challenge out of the 91 wines submitted
  • 99 Vintage: 3 Stars Wine Magazine - February 2001 edition
  • 2001 Vintage: 3½ Stars Wine Magazine - February 2002 edition
  • 2002 Vintage: 88 / 100 in USA Wine Spectator - April 2003 edition
  • 2003 Vintage: 4 Stars in John Platter
  • 2004 Vintage: 87/100 in USA Wine Enthusiast - November 2005
  • 2005 Vintage: 4 Stars SA Wine Magazine (February 2007)
  • in the final eight of 2007 WINE Magazine FNB'S Private Client Chenin Blanc Challenge
  • 2006 Vintage: 4 Stars in John Platter
  • 90/100 in USA Wine Spectator
  • 4 Stars Wine magazine Chenin Blanc Challenge
  • 2007 Vintage: 3½ Stars in John Platter
  • 89/100 in USA Wine Spectator
  • 3½ Stars in Wine Magazine Chenin Blanc Challenge
  • 2008 Vintage: 3½ Stars in John Platter
  • 88/100 in USA Wine Spectator
  • 2009 Vintage: 87/100 in USA Wine Spectator May edition
  • 3 Stars Wine Magazine
  • International Wine Challenge 2011 - Silver Medal
  • 2010 Vintage: Honorable mention - Bloomberg Markets
  • July 2011, 87 points - November Wine Enthusiast

ageing : Up to 5 - 7 years.

in the vineyard : Soil Type: Malmesbury, Tukulu
Age of vines: Average of 32 years old
Trellising: Bush vines and Trellis

about the harvest: Picking date: 27th January - 1st March 2011
Grape Sugar: 23.5° B at harvest
Acidity at harvest: 5.05 g/l at harvest
pH at harvest: 3.55

in the cellar : Fermentation temperature: 13° - 15° C

Method
This individual new-wave Chenin was made from low-crop Stellenbosch and Swartland grapes. The grapes were harvested in the early morning to ensure coolness, crushed and then lightly pressed; after which the must was cold settled before being inoculated with a select yeast culture. Eighty percent of the wine was tank fermented while the remaining twenty percent underwent natural fermentation in barrel. The wines were matured for five months in a combination of new Hungarian and French oak barrels. The wine was then lightly fined, sterile filtered and bottled.

Wood ageing
Twenty percent of the wine was fermented and matured for five months in oak barrels.

Total production: 29 500 x 12

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