Technical Specifications
Alcohol 14.28%
Residual Sugar 3.8 g/L
pH 3.29
Total Acidity 6 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
Indigenous Yeast Yes
Malolactic Fermentation 20%
Lees Aging 10 months
Oak Details 20% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak20%
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. 2018 was dry vintage in the Cape. Thunderstorms in early spring added a lot of Nitrogen to the soils resulting in very healthy canopies entering the growing season. The daytime temperatures during the ripening period were cooler than what was experienced in the very hot 2016 and 2017 vintages, with relatively cool evenings. Conditions were very dry though, with vine stress management being key to success. Fruit harvesting tended to be very early in 2018, with a focus on bringing fruit into the winery with lower sugar levels and lower pH levels. 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 (20% new), using indigenous yeasts, with about 20% of the volume completing malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged on its lees in barrel for 10 months, without batonage.
Tasting Notes
white flower, stone fruit, honey, toast, pear, orange blossom, caramel, spice
▸ Sources (1)
Producer Information
Website
Address
Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa