Technical Specifications
Alcohol 14.14%
Residual Sugar 3.9 g/L
pH 3.31
Total Acidity 5.8 g/L
Calories (estimated) 120 kcal / glass
150ml glass120 kcal
750ml bottle600 kcal
Grape Varieties Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc100%
Region Stellenbosch
Soil Decomposed granite
Elevation 250.0 meters
Vine Age planted 1972
Fermentation Vessels Oak Barrel
Pressing Method Whole Cluster
Indigenous Yeast Yes
Lees Aging 11 months
Oak Details 25% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak25%
Oak Types French
Production Details DeMorgenzon’s Chenin Blanc comes from low-yielding vines planted in 1972, which were originally planted as bush vines but recently lifted onto trellises. The vines are planted in decomposed granite soils, at altitudes of 250 to 300 meters above sea level. Close proximity to False Bay ensures cooling breezes in the warm summer months. 2016 was a very early season with early flowering dates followed by rapid ripening in the early part of the summer. Weather conditions during the ripening period of the Chenin Blanc were very warm necessitating selective harvest and early picking of certain parcels in order to attain an overall juice quality with a higher natural acidity. The grapes were picked in three different passes in order to achieve optimum ripeness and balance in the final wine. The grapes were handpicked in the early morning hours, with bunch selection done in the vineyard. Fruit was cooled down and then gently pressed, whole bunch, and the juice was settled overnight without the use of settling enzymes. Fermentation occurred naturally in French oak barrels (25% new), using indigenous yeasts, with about 30% of the volume completing malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged on its lees in barrel for 11 months, without any topping or batonage.
Tasting Notes
white flower, stone fruit, honey, toast, pear, orange blossom, caramel, spice, lush fruit, crisp, mouth-watering acidity
Critics Ratings Tim Atkin MW: 95
Tim Atkin MW95
Neal Martin of Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate93
Christian Eedes WineMag.co.za95
Tim Atkin MW94
Stephen Tanzer’s Wine Cellar91
▸ Sources (1)
Producer Information
Website
Address
Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa