Technical Specifications
Alcohol 12.01%
Residual Sugar 2 g/L
pH 3.22
Total Acidity 7 g/L
Calories (estimated) 100 kcal / glass
150ml glass100 kcal
750ml bottle500 kcal
Grape Varieties Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc100%
Region Swartland
Soil Granite
Vine Age 41 year old
Fermentation Vessels Oak Barrel
Pressing Method Whole Cluster
Natural Yeast Yes
Production Details The 2020/2021 growing season was particularly cool and had the benefit of some rain during the winter. Although it was a big relief after 5 years of drought, overall rainfalls were still below average. Cool conditions during flowering meant that our yields were not very high, but the long cool growing season allowed us to pick our Chenin blanc at good ripeness levels without fear of the dreaded heatwaves that are normally plagued with in January and February. The Cat's Cradle vineyard continues to deliver wines that have wonderful energy and focus derived from the poor granitic soils on which it is planted. The 2021 wine has a laser-line of acidity running through it, all outlined by clean citrus flavours, pithy texture and wonderful length. We've kept our winemaking simple and natural, as we have no desire to stand between the vineyard and its expression as a wine in the glass. The grapes are whole-bunch pressed in an old basket press and there are no additions of sulphur dioxide made on the juice. A rough settling follows pressing after which the wines undergo natural alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in old oak barrels. We add some sulphur dioxide late in the winter, and then again at bottling, keeping the level of sulphur dioxide as low as possible. The result is wines that show tension without losing their suppleness and core, and wines that will reward time in the cellar.
Tasting Notes
lemon, apple blossom, exotic waxes, honey, textured palate, wet stone freshness
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Producer Information
Website
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Owner
John and Tasha Seccombe
Cellarmaster
John Seccombe