Simonsig Chenin Avec Chêne 2014

Bright golden colour with a limpid appearance. An orchard of citrus blossoms, honey kisses and seductive oak notes. Sweet layers of pineapple and caramelised baked apple embroider the mid-palate. A great follow through due to the zesty and vibrant acidity.

This is a true gastronomic wine and works wonderfully with most foods from sushi to piquant ripe creamy cheeses such as Epoisse or Dalewood Winelands Camembert. Do not over chill – serve at 14 – 16°C.

variety : Chenin Blanc [ 100% Chenin Blanc ]
winemaker : Johan Malan
wine of origin : Stellenbosch
analysis : alc : 13.32 % vol  rs : 3.8 g/l  pH : 3.32  ta : 7.1 g/l  
type : White  style : Dry  body : Full   wooded
pack : Bottle  size : 750ml  closure : Cork  

AWARDS

2014
2015 Veritas Awards: Bronze Medal
2015 Tim Atkins: 93 Points
2012
2014 Concours Mondial De Bruxelles: Gold Medal
2014 Veritas: Gold Medal
91 Points Wine Advocate - November 2013
2010
2014 Wine of the Month Club Awards: The Reserve Club
2014 Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10: Winner
2013 Wine of the Month Club Awards: Best Chenin Blanc
2013 20th Concours Mondial de Bruxelles: Silver Medal
2013 Platter’s Guide: 4 Stars
2012 Veritas Awards : Gold medal
2009
93 Points Wine Advocate - May 2012
2011 Platter’s Guide: 4 stars
Wine Magazine 2010 Chenin blanc Challenge: Top 12
Wine Magazine: 4 stars in February 2011 issue
2008
2010 Chenin Blanc Challenge - 4.5 stars
Winemakers Choice International Awards - Diamond Award
2007
2009 Platter's Guide - 4 stars

ageing : At its best within 3 – 4 years of vintage date.

Heritage
Simonsig Chenin Blanc was the first wine released by founder Frans Malan in 1968. The experience of more than four decades of working with Chenin blanc resulted in this lightly wooded version. We realised that Chenin blanc grown on weathered shale gives the most intense perfumed fruit. Gently handled oak enhances the depth of flavour without obscuring the delicious fruitiness. The name of this wine means "Chenin with oak".

Style of Wine
Full bodied Chenin blanc matured in wood.

in the vineyard : The 2014 vintage was quite a challenge. The heat waves in February and rain in March it created a juggling match of when and what to pick. Not only was this nerve racking but conditions tested our endurance with the harvesting starting on the 23rd of January and finishing 14th of April. Nevertheless the quality of the Chenin blanc was outstanding, with ripe luscious fruit and good acidities. At Simonsig we label 2014 as a super Chenin blanc vintage.

about the harvest: Grapes from our oldest Chenin blanc vineyard (1986) were picked early in March at 24.5°Balling.

in the cellar : Barrel fermented in 400 litre French and a small percentage Hungarian oak using cultured yeast. Battonage was done to enhance mouthfeel while MLF was prevented. Extra care was taken to respect the Chenin blanc fruit and that is why we made use of second, third and older barrels for maturation.

Wood Maturation: 10 months oaking. 87% French oak, 7% Hungarian and 6% Unwooded. 7% 2nd and 3rd and the rest older.

find our wines in :

OTHER VINTAGES

Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc