Winemaker Notes
The fruit for this Chenin Blanc is hand-harvested off a number of low yielding blocks. The Leeuwenkuil grapes were cold-fermented in a stainless steel tank using natural yeast. The grapes from Welgegund were whole bunch pressed and barrel-fermented using natural yeast. The wine was blended and tank stabilized before being bottled fairly young. Focus is on creating length and palate texture, with racy acidity.
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
A perfumed example with green apple, honeysuckle and rock candy. Restrained on the mid palate, textured with a nice lingering aftertaste. No excess it's got a smoothly sophisticated finish. Feels effortless. Delicious.
Unquestionably one of the most diverse grape varieties, Chenin Blanc can do it all. It shines in every style from bone dry to unctuously sweet, oaked or unoaked, still or sparkling and even as the base for fortified wines and spirits. Perhaps Chenin Blanc’s greatest asset is its ever-present acidity, maintained even under warm growing conditions. Somm Secret—Landing in South Africa in the mid 1800s, today the country has double the acreage of Chenin Blanc planted compared to France. There is also a new wave of dedicated producers committed to restoring old Chenin vines.
Literally meaning "the black land," Swartland takes its name from the endangered, indigenous "renosterbos" (translating to rhino bush), which used to be plentiful enough to turn the entire landscape a dark color certain during times of year. The district, attracting some of the most adventurous and least interventionist winemakers, excels in robust and full-bodied reds as well as quality fortified wines.