Wine False Bay, Slow Chenin Blanc, 2017
This promising Chenin Blanc offers an abundance of uniquely South African characteristics that cannot be found anywhere else. A great expression of terroir, the wine captures the indigenous vegetation with herbaceous notes, fennel and soft fruit notes.
Characteristics
Wine Style:
White - An honest and aromatic wine that offers an abundance of uniquely South African traits.
Tasting Notes:
Wild yeast fermentation is key to this benchmark Chenin Blanc. The long wild yeast ferment provides bready aromas and additional complexity to the wine. Dried herbaceous notes, including fennel and aniseed from the nearby fynbos, dominate the nose, followed by a creamy lemon character. The palate is reminiscent of the nose, with great textural complexity, attributable to the long, slow wild yeast fermentation.
Gastronomy:
A versatile wine equally well suited to partner lobster and other seafood, risotto or herb roast chicken. Can also handle spice very well.
Vineyards:
Coastal Vineyards, Sustainably Farmed, Old Vines, Naturally Crafted, Wild Ferment, Slowly Matured.
Winemaking process:
We picked early in the morning, and then de-stemmed the grapes before pressing. The free run juice was separated from the skins immediately and allowed to settle at 12°C for 24 hours. No enzymes were used to aid the settling and the press juice was discarded. No cultured yeasts were used and the natural yeast fermentation took 7 months to complete. The wine was then left on the secondary lees for another two months before bottling.
