Family Reserve Chenin Blanc

Shellfish, Spicy food, Lean fish, Mild and soft cheese

The Family Reserve Chenin Blanc 2018 was crafted from three different wards and soils (Decomposed Granite, Oakleaf and Duplex) in Stellenbosch, each contributing to the complexity of this wine. These vineyards are all over 40 years old and unirrigated bush vines. The canopy of the bush vines were suckered and tipped to ensure a cool micro climate around the grapes with no direct sun and without botrytis. The 2018 vintage was at the end of a three year drought, but these old vineyards with its well established roots looked better than ever.

The wine spent an extra 8 months in barrel before we blended the components. There was no fining or filtration before bottling.

The grapes were picked separately between 22 and 24°balling, reductively crushed and the juice was given 12 -18 hours skin contact prior to settling. After only 1 day settling, we racked the cloudy juice (120ntu) to tank where it got inoculated with selected wine yeast strain. The juice was then gravity fed into 400l French oak barrels for fermentation. We only used 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill barrels to protect the delicate Chenin Blanc fruit.

Kleine Zalze wines are marked by a classical structure and complexity matched by a vibrant flavour intensity. Discernibly South African in style, they are refreshing, beautifully balanced and well-suited to food. Our wines are made according to traditional methods with minimal cellar intervention, but supported by modern equipment.