| WINE | The Beautiful Game – Chenin Blanc | ||||||||
| VARIETAL | Chenin Blanc | ||||||||
| VINTAGE | 2009 | ||||||||
| APPELLATION | Stellenbosch, South Africa | ||||||||
| ANALYSIS |
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| PRODUCTION | 1000 (12 x 750ml.) cases |
VINEYARDS
The vineyards are selected parcels of 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. Low-yielding (under 50 hl / ha).
2009 was an exceptional vintage in our area and especially for white wines. Flowering was even, rains were plentiful and then the Summer had an excellent equilibrium of hot, sunny days and an unusually high number of really 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. We picked over a week later than usual, early in February, which is always a good sign.VINIFICATION
The separate parcels were 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 7 months, with regular battonnage, the stirring of the lees is 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 classic dry Chenin to Late Harvest, Straw Wine and even Méthode Champenoise. The Beautiful Game Chenin Blanc is a wonderfully example of a lively, fruity and beautifully balanced dry Chenin Blanc. Perfectly versatile, with flavours of pears, sherbet and flint, peach and there is plenty of leesy mouthfeel and purity of 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, to relax and to enjoy The Beautiful Game!