Chenin Blanc
This wine is representative of the versatility of old vine Chenin Blanc for which South Africa has built up a strong reputation. It has a light straw colour with a golden hue, showing notes of white peach, citrus and pineapple on the nose, a rich and ripe mouthfeel coupled with vibrant acidity and a great minerality tying it all together on the finish.
2,670 Ft 750 ml
3 in stock
| Weight | 1.5 kg |
|---|---|
| Colour | white |
| Style | |
| Évjárat |
| Region | Paarl, South Africa |
|---|
In the Cellar
Grapes were hand-picked at 22.5 balling after which they were immediately crushed, de-stemmed and pressed. After overnight settling, the juice was racked off the gross lees; and a small amount of fine lees was added back to give texture to the wine. The juice was then transferred to a combination of stainless steel tank (50%) and neutral oak (50%) and inoculated with commercial yeast. Fermentation was controlled at 14-l6°C (57-61°C) over a 14-day period and the wine was left sur lie for two months, resulting in a rich and textured palate.
The grapes for this wine come from two very interesting vineyards farmed by 2 of our wine-growing-partners. The Eenzaamheid (Solitude) vineyards are well-known in South African wine circles. This 7th-generation family farm, owned by the Briers-Low family, dates back to 1693. It sits on a basin of shale that is excellent for Chenin Blanc. 30% of the wine comes from a dry-farmed bush-vine vineyard planted in 1976. It is on a South-facing slope and produces grapes that show more stone fruit and mineral, flinty characteristics. The balance of the wine is from a dry-farmed bush-vine vineyard planted in 1983. Slightly warmer, it produces concentrated wines with amazing texture.
About the winery: Lievland
Lievland, directly translated, means "Love Land" and there are few who come onto this historic Stellenbosch estate that are not charmed by its bucolic beauty. 20 years ago, Lievland was considered one of South Africa's top wine estates. The farm is situated in Stellenbosch, along what is referred to as the Simonsberg "Golden Mile" of wine estates.
The Paarl Region
Paarl, a scenic town some 50 km from Cape Town, is situated beneath a large granite outcrop, which is the second largest in the world, the biggest being Uluru (previously Ayers Rock) in Australia. It is formed by three rounded domes, the most prominent of which is named Paarl Rock (which means pearl rock) as it gleams in the early morning light, especially after it has rained. A large variety of grapes are grown in Paarl, which has the second most vineyard plantings in the winelands. These include Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage and Shiraz, which have the best potential, particularly the latter. More recently, typically Mediterranean varieties such as Viognier and Mourvèdre have been planted on warmer slopes. The Paarl district includes two wards, each with its own characteristics: Simonsberg-Paarl, on the northern and eastern foothills of the Simonsberg, prime wine-growing terroir recognised for Chardonnay, Shiraz and red blends; and Voor Paardeberg, with its distinctive granite outcrop, long a source of top-quality grapes for top producers and now becoming a star in its own right.
