CHENIN BLANC

TASTING NOTES
Pale straw, bright with green tinge. Layers of pineapple, vanilla and quince on the nose. This flavours follows on the palate culminating in a tropical fruit salad, with crisp acidity and perfectly in balance. The lingering aftertaste is of honeybush, grapefruit and a hint of ginger.

IN THE VINEYARD
These Chenin Blanc vineyards are situated on the farm DeMorgenzon in the Stellenboschkloof. Planted in 1971 the trellised vineyard is managed to ensured natural high acidity and full flavour concentration. The yield was 5,8 (30hl/ha - only free-run juice used) tons per hectare.

THE HARVEST
The grapes were handpicked and selected in the early morning at between 24.0º and 24.8º Balling. The yield was 5,8 (30hl/ha - only free-run juice used) tons per hectare with acids above 7,0 g/l and pH’s generally below 3,1.

IN THE CELLAR
Bunch selection was done in the vineyard. The grapes were lightly crushed and the free-run juice was allowed to settle overnight. Only natural yeast was used in making this wine, using the indigenous micro flora on the grapes. The juice with the fluffy lees was then fermented in French oak barrels. Fermentation took place in a 14ºC cellar but actual fermentation temperatures were not monitored. DeMorgenzon Chenin blanc matured in barrel for eight months on the lees; thereafter it was racked, lightly filtered and bottled without being stabilized. 6080 bottles were made.

AGEING POTENTIAL
This wine is drinking very well now, will improve over the next four years and should last for many more to come.

ACCOLADES
DMZ Chenin blanc 2005 Spar Tops Chenin Blanc 2006 4½ stars
DMZ Chenin blanc 2005 John Platter Guide 2007 5 stars
DMZ Chenin blanc 2006 John Platter Guide 2007 4 stars
Robert Parker 91 points rating
Wine Spectator 90 points rating
Runner up in Wine magazine Chenin blanc challenge