Carl Everson Chenin Blanc

Pork Belly | Duck Breast | Bobotie | Pear Tartlets

The ripening season was normal and without extremes - a cold and wet winter followed by moderate temperatures through the start of summer. On the 28' of February though we had a massive down-pour of rain which pushed our harvest date a little earlier on this vineyard as I wanted most of the fruit in before then. I believe the somewhat forced earlier pick together with the use of larger oak than before and coupled with only partial completion of malolactic fermentation resulted in a wine that is more balanced. We always do multiple pickings of this vineyard to capture both freshness and complexity and different stages.

These batches then ferment and age in a combination of 400L and 500L older French oak barrels, large (3000L) French oak Foudres and concrete vessels to give as best an expression of a total vineyard picture as possible. A 4% skin fermented component was included in the final blend to add texture and tension in the wine.

Opstal Estate is situated at the foot of the Slanghoek mountains in the heart of the breathtakingly beautiful Slanghoek Valley on the Breedekloof Wine Route. The valley forms part of the Breede River Valley with Worcester as the closest, large town. 'One thing I’ve learned over the years, both growing up and working in the wine industry, is that wine—whether the product itself, the process of making it, or the people behind it—should not be taken too seriously. The key word for me in my winemaking philosophy is drinkability. I aim to make our customers' wine-drinking experience as relaxed and enjoyable as possible.' - Attie Louw