Wildekrans Barrel Select Reserve Chenin Blanc 2013
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After trying many different crops, it became obvious that Wildekrans was an ideal spot to grow grapes. The prevailing south-easter and long, dry summers kept the grapes dry and free from fungal diseases. The lean harsh soils produced grapes with small berries that resulted in flavourful wines with the Wildekrans' cool climate aromatic profile.
Today Wildekrans consists of 50 hectares of grapes all planted in a clay rich subsoil mixed with a top soil of stone and sand which ensures well structured subtle white wines with great acidity and balance and full, rich, earthy red wines with silky tannins. Add to this the meticulous cellar care (sensible management and cellar design) as well as excellent vineyard care (early morning harvesting, closeness of cellar to vineyards, canopy management and strict yield control) it is inevitable that great wines will be produced. Only grapes planted and raised on Wildekrans under the watchful eye of a specialist vineyard team are selected for the cellar then the best of the best wines are selected to be bottled under the Wildekrans label.
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.
A relatively cool, maritime climate area, Walker Bay includes three important wards: Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. These sites benefit from the cooling ocean winds and are reputed for the production of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinotage.