Secrets and Lies Chenin Blanc

It can also be paired with more flamboyant food as foie grass or confit of duck.

Grapes for this wine are harvested from a 42 year old vineyard on our Bottelary property. This vineyard plays very much different to any of our other Chenin vineyards as it is the only Chenin Blanc block which receives a majority of morning sun rather than afternoon sun. Planted: 1983 Block 28 is planted to North Eastern slopes of decomposed granite. The effect of the wind and sun is often overlooked in the direction of planting. Morning sun usually allows for slower ripening at lower temperatures and UV exposure rates leading to elegant wines with lively acidity and a touch of class. Often associated with the beauty of woman, not overshadowed by the make-up that she wears, morning sun vineyards can deliver big and bold wines but with serious finesse. Yields: +- 3t/ha

Age of the barrels vary from 4 to 6 years. It is not about the oak, but the texture that these old barrels lend Chenin Blanc. A wild yeast fermentation in barrel can take up to 5 months to complete and total maturation time in barrel does not exceed 7 months Time spent on lees in barrel: 7 months in 100% French oak, 4 year old barrels.

As these decomposed granite slopes are on higher altitude vineyards, the grapes don’t often catch Botrytis. It is a toned down version of the usual rich style of Chenin Blanc produced by Stellenrust and a version truer to nature than to winemaker. Grapes are harvested at optimum ripeness of about 22 Balling, allowed overnight skin contact and the juice then drained to older 225 litre French oak barrels.

Stellenrust is a Stellenbosch producer working with nearly 400 hectares of vineyards across the Helderberg and Bottelary Hills. Known for Chenin Blanc and a broad range of South African wines, the estate focuses on matching varieties to site and capturing the character of Stellenbosch’s diverse soils and slopes.