Chenin Blanc Reserve

Sushi, shellfish, salads, Chinese cuisine, chicken dishes with a creamy sauce.

In 2021 we had good water availability and cooler weather that contributed to yields like that of 2020, which results in elegant wines. Grape analyses were promising with low pHs and high titratable acidity levels. Due to the moderate temperatures, grapes could be harvested at moderate sugar levels. Colour development was generally better than the previous season and with integrated tannins. Beautiful flavours were noticed in our Chenin Blanc blocks, among others. Both white and red wines showed promise, in terms of quality.

Matured for 11 months in 500L French oak barrels, the wine was then aged on the lees for eight months in 2000L Stockinger Foudre. Once bottled, the wine was left to mature for a further six months before release.

From old vine Chenin Blanc (1985) grown on decomposed shale and granite; minimal winemaking was employed to allow this stony terroir to shine through. The grapes were hand-picked at different stages to achieve optimal ripeness and balance. The fruit was pre-cooled and gently wholebunch pressed before spontaneous fermentation and partial malolactic fermentation for added elegance, and complexity.

Brookdale Estate is a Paarl wine estate set beneath the Klein Drakenstein Mountains, with a strong focus on sustainability, biodiversity and thoughtful vineyard development. Working with a diverse mix of varieties across its 27 hectares of vines, Brookdale produces distinctive South African wines shaped by site, experimentation and a considered approach to the land.