| WINE | The Winery of Good Hope | ||||||||
| VARIETAL | Chenin Blanc | ||||||||
| VINTAGE | 2008 | ||||||||
| APPELLATION | Stellenbosch, South Africa | ||||||||
| ANALYSIS |
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| PRODUCTION | 11 000 (12 x 750ml.) cases |
VINEYARDS
The vineyards are predominantly old bush vines in the Helderberg area of Stellenbosch. These vineyards are located on mineral soils on Ocean-facing, decomposed granite slopes, benefiting from maritime breezes. All fruit is hand-picked. Relatively low-yielding (under 40 hl / ha). 2008 was a lovely white vintage. Flowering was even, rains were plentiful and then the Summer had an excellent equilibrium of sunny days and cool evenings. This is especially good for the white grapes as it allows them to retain acidity and to ripen at a slower pace. At picking, the grapes were wonderfully balanced therefore, meaning that all the quality was made on the vines, leaving us with very little to do in the winery.
VINIFICATION
Separate parcels picked individually at varying ripeness, in order to build good complexity of acidity, fruit, depth and minerality. Vinified with minimum skin contact, using free run juice only. Reductively handled to obtain fresh, clear juice. Cool fermentation in stainless steel tanks with neutral yeast (favouring fruit enhancement). Kept on lees for 4 months, with regular battonnage. This regular stirring of the lees in order to enhance palate weight, freshness and texture of the wine. The components were blended prior to bottling, whilst still on the lees, to allow total integration of the final wine before preparing for bottling. Minimal fining prior to filtration. Focus on fruit retention; respect of flavours through lees work and fresh, natural minerality and acidity.
WINEMAKER'S COMMENTS
Chenin is an extremely versatile grape, able to make excellent wines in many different guises, from Late harvest to Straw wine to classic dry Chenin and even Méthode Champenoise. This example is a wonderfully lively, fruity and beautifully balanced dry Chenin Blanc. With flavours of pears, sherbet and flint there is plenty of leesy mouthfeel and juicy fruit, whilst finishing with a refreshing lime and mineral length. A true noble varietal, Chenin deserves to be taken seriously –even for everyday drinking wines such as this.