Growing Conditions
The Chenin Blanc grapes are mostly from our farm,
Kalmoesfontein situated on the northern side of the Paardeberg mountain. Our
neighbour also supplies us with some exceptional old vine fruit – making us the
worlds smallest co-op! We maintain that high quality fruit comes from old un-irrigated
bushvines grown on a variety of granite soils that are naturally low yielding. Most of
our Chenin vines were planted the late 1960’s to mid 1970’s and tend to yield
around 4 tons/hectare.
Winemaking
The grapes are hand picked with great care and chilled overnight in a
cold room. The following day they are whole bunch pressed to a settling tank. These
vineyards were picked over a period of 12 days and each day fresh juice was added
to the already fermenting tanks – this extended the alcoholic fermentation by about
20 days but was also very important in the complete integration of the wine as all the
various vineyards or components were fermented together. Some of the juice is also
fermented in older casks and big foudres; around 25% of the total.
This wine was left on its gross lees for 7 months before being bottled with occasional lees stirring during this time.
Nose
The aromas are flinty with peaches, honey, orange blossom and white stone fruit notes.