Neethlingshof Chenin Blanc 2016

ageing : 

The wine is ready to drink now, but will develop further over the next two years.

Background
Grapes have been grown on Neethlingshof for more than 300 years or within 50 years of the Dutch East-India Company establishing a victualling station at the Cape to supply its passing ships. The farm was initially called De Wolvendans (The Dance of Wolves). Soon after full ownership of the farm was acquired by Johannes Henoch Neethling towards the end of the 1820s, the name was changed to Neethlingshof.
A member of the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative, acknowledged for its protection of indigenous habitat, the 273 ha estate has set aside 116 ha for conservation. It cultivates both red and white varietals, with the bias marginally in favour of whites. The main white varieties are Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer. The predominant soil types found on the farm are Oakleaf and Tukulu.

The vineyards (vineyard manager: Hannes van Zyl)
Planted in 2008, the vineyard block comprises 3,46 ha. The vines grow in Tukulu and Oakleaf soils, 100 m above sea level on south-westerly and north-easterly facing slopes. Three clones are used including 9, 24 and 220. All three clones lend itself to more tropical characters with a very satisfactory mouthfeel. They are grafted onto Richter 110 rootstocks. Vineyard management practices such as correct pruning and suckering methods were applied. Harvest quantities were closely controlled to guarantee an optimum vineyard balance. Moisture measurements were monitored to ensure supplementary irrigation was applied only when necessary.

The grapes were harvested during the second week of February.

The grapes were crushed and brought to the cellar. The fruit was cooled down overnight before it was removed from the stems. Settling and clearing of the juice took place next, after which yeast cultures were added. Fermentation took place at 12˚ C for a period of 18 days. The wine was left to rest on the lees with stirring taking place once a week to add to the creamy mouthfeel of the wine and to ensure all lees flavours were released.