Description

Winemaker: Wayne Arendse

Appellation: Stellenbosch

Variety: 100% Chenin Blanc, 100% barreled

Background

This heritage block of chenin Blanc was planted seven years before South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994.

In 2022, the township winery obtained the rights to the venerable crop, now certified a Heritage Vineyard.

The first full crop of grapes came in 1992, the year that the South African government and its citizens chose to abandon apartheid.

Vineyard Location

Now a certified Single Vineyard, the block was planted where the old upper Kloof Valley mailbox stood. These weathered granite soils slope to the south-west into summer’s afternoon breezes off the Atlantic Ocean. This moist wind reduces the temperature around the grape bunches and leaves by around 2 degrees Centigrade, and contributes freshness and crisp acidity to the depth of rich flavour in the grapes of those ancient vines.

The Winemaking

After the crush, the juice was cold settled to partially clarify the rich sweet juice. A batch of cultured yeast was added to get fermentation started before the must was moved to the barrels. When the fermentation was complete, the majority of spent yeast was removed. The new wine remained in the barrels for 12 months, with its fine yeast remaining in suspension, regularly mixed, until a short time before clarification and bottling.

Winemaker’s Tasting Notes

Gentle butterscotch and vanilla on nose, peach, guava and honey on midpalate. Subtle tones of new oak (25%) with a lasting seam of crisp acidity and combined fruits to finish.

Analysis

Alc 13.5%

RS 2.1 g/l

TA 5.5 g/l

pH 3.45