About the Wine
Planted in 1971, Riverside Chenin Blanc is the oldest vineyard on the farm. Soils on the banks of the upper Blaauwklippen River, in which the vines are planted, vary from sandy alluvial plains with river stone to red clay loam as one moves away from the river. This patchy old vineyard, at an elevation of 250m, delivers very low yields of incredible quality fruit year in and year out. Like the old vines from which it is made, this wine has great complexity and character with quiet intensity.
All grapes used in producing this wine are sourced from the Riverside vineyard on Keermont. Small parcels of grapes are selected according to optimal ripeness and harvested by hand. Fermentation is carried out by yeast which occurs naturally on the grape skins. This wine was fermented and then spent a further 11 months maturing on the lees in seasoned French oak barrels (225L and 500L). Bottling was carried out by hand and only 2929 bottles and 53 magnums were produced.
Lovely faint lime hue. The aromas are fresh with delicate floral notes of lily and salted cashew and a soft indication of oak. Classic old vine Chenin blanc. Floral notes give way to youthful fruit aromas of naartjie or mandarin zest and fresh white pear. Fruit is lightly seasoned with toasted Sesame and spicy undertones. The palate is crisp and dry up front, with racy acidity and a long finish. White fruit notes follow through from the nose, and pear and granny smith apple flavours are most evident. After some time in the glass, it shows cumin and ginger spice with characteristic salinity and light texture on the finish.
Wine Analysis
| Wine of Origin: |
Stellenbosch, South Africa |
| Cultivars: |
Chenin Blanc 100%
|
| Alcohol: |
13% |
| Total Acid: |
5.2 g/L |
| Residual Sugar: |
1.6 g/L
|
