Production
Seriously Cool Chenin Blanc is crafted from 30-40 year old bush-vine vineyards in the Helderberg area. The vineyards are close to the ocean, which ensure a long growing season and allows for ripe fruit with good concentration and a balanced acidity. Production from these grand dames of South African viticultural heritage is a miserly 4 tons/hectare. Waterkloof follow a traditional, minimalistic approach in their gravitational cellar which means interfering as little as possible with the winemaking process. This allows the flavours prevalent in that specific vineyard to ultimately express themselves in the wine. To achieve this goal, all grapes are whole-bunch pressed, which ensures that juice is extracted in the gentlest way. The juice is then allowed to settle for 24 hours after which it is racked from the settling tank into stainless steel tanks, concrete eggs or older 600 liter barrels. They do not inoculate the juice with commercially cultivated yeast, but allow the wild yeast prevailing in the vineyard to ferment the juice. No additional acid or enzymes are added during the process. The natural fermentation process took 5 months to complete and only a light filtration was used prior to bottling. The only addition is a small amount of sulphur before bottling. Vegan friendly wine.
Tasting notes
A bright, vibrant style of Chenin with aromas of ripe citrus and stone fruit, white flowers and a hint of honey. Because of the longer alcoholic fermentation the flavours are well integrated on the palate which ends with a crisp acidity.
Food match
Great with seafood, pasta, salads, chicken... just give it a go with anything you want.