Stellenrust 58 Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc

Dry Chenin Blanc (<5g/l or up to 9g/l if TA <2g/l lower) () Barrel fermented/barrel matured/wooded (staves, chips or wood rice) 2022 and older

IN THE VINEYARDS 58 year old bush vines from Bottelary property planted in ironstone. “We are just custodians of old vines. They know how best to express their fruit in that particular vintage and we just have to shepherd that into bottle,” Dr. Tertius Boshoff. VINIFICATION Again careful attention to every grape coming into the cellar was necessary in the dry 2022 vintage. Even though warmer temperatures than normal occurred during the harvest, hanging time was longer than other vintages. Botrytis development also took some time but did eventually occur after mid March drizzles. Grapes are harvested between 22 and 24 balling and the juice allowed to settle without enzymes over several days. The juice is then drawn off into a special selection of barrels and allowed to ferment naturally. Fermentation took just under 8 months to finish and the wine was kept on the fermentation lees for an additional 1 month. Time spent on lees in barrel: 9 months in oak: 90% French and 10% Hungarian oak.

It has dramatic aromatics of yellow peach, apricot and pineapple plus marzipan and leesy, waxy undertones while the palate is full-bodied and well rounded with tangy acidity and savoury finish. This Chenin will compliment an array of dishes: from orange infused duck confit to lemon infused Norwegian salmon on a bed of creamed spinach and potato puree.