Wine Info
- Variety: Chenin Blanc
- Style: White Wine
- Alcohol: 13.92
- Winemaker: Richard Kershaw
Chenin Blanc 2011
A powerful nose of guava, lime zest and ripe pear braced by honeysuckle and orange blossoms. A juicy palate with opulent passion-fruit, following through from the nose and finishing off with tart grapefruit characteristics. The refreshing acidity is perfectly counteracted by a creamy mid palate and subtle oak-derived spice. The 2011 vintage is a more fruit-driven style that is fresher & drier comparing to the 2010 vintage. A delightfully accessible wine that is mouth-wateringly moreish.
In the Cellar
This individual new-wave Chenin was made from low-crop Stellenbosch & Swartland grapes. The grapes were harvested in the early morning to ensure coolness, crushed and then lightly pressed; after which the must was cold settled before being inoculated with a select yeast culture. Eighty percent of the wine was tank fermented while the remaining twenty percent underwent natural fermentation in barrel. The wines were matured for five months in a combination of new Hungarian and French oak barrels. The wine was then lightly fined, sterile filtered and bottled.
Wood ageing:Twenty percent of the wine was fermented and matured for five months in oak barrels.
Total production: 29 500 x 12
Food Suggestions
Partner with shellfish; grilled tuna; lemon and herb roast chicken; Bobotie – South African/Malay dish of baked savoury mince served with saffron rice; or enjoy a glass on it’s own.
Aging Potential
This wine is drinking beautifully now, but has the ability to mature for another 5 to 7 years.
Blend Information
Chenin Blanc (Chenin 97% and Viognier 3%)
In the Vineyard
Soil Type: Tukulu, Malmesbury
Age of vines: Average of 32 years
Trellising: Bush Vines and Trellis
Irrigation: Over and drip irrigation
About the Harvest
The grapes were hand picked all over the Western Cape.
Picking date: 27 January – End of February
Grape Sugar: 23.5 ° Balling at harvest
Acidity: 5.05 g/l average at harvest
pH at harvest: 3.55 at harvest
Yield: 4 tons per hectare
Technical Analysis
Winemaker: Richard Kershaw
Main Variety: Chenin Blanc
Alcohol: 13.92 %
pH: 3.38
RS: 4.3 g/l
Total Acid: 5.6 g/l
SO2: 122 mg/l
Free SO2: 35 mg/l
Balling: 23.5°
Yield: 4 ton/H
Appellation: Western Cape
Accolades
96 Vintage: SAA listing
97 Vintage: 4 Stars Wine Magazine – February 1998 edition
98 Vintage: 4 Stars Wine Magazine – February 1999 edition
judged a close 2nd in the Wine Magazine’s 1999 Chenin Blanc Challenge out of the 91 wines submitted
99 Vintage: 3 Stars Wine Magazine – February 2001 edition
2001 Vintage: 3½ Stars Wine Magazine – February 2002 edition
2002 Vintage: 88 / 100 in USA Wine Spectator – April 2003 edition
2003 Vintage: 4 Stars in John Platter
2004 Vintage: 87/100 in USA Wine Enthusiast – November 2005
2005 Vintage: 4 Stars SA Wine Magazine (February 2007)
in the final eight of 2007 WINE Magazine FNB’S Private Client Chenin Blanc Challenge
2006 Vintage: 4 Stars in John Platter
90/100 in USA Wine Spectator
4 Stars Wine magazine Chenin Blanc Challenge
2007 Vintage: 3½ Stars in John Platter
89/100 in USA Wine Spectator
3½ Stars in Wine Magazine Chenin Blanc Challenge
2008 Vintage: 3½ Stars in John Platter
88/100 in USA Wine Spectator
2009 Vintage: 87/100 in USA Wine Spectator May edition
3 Stars Wine Magazine
2010 Vintage: Honorable mention – Bloomberg Markets, July 2011, 87 points – November Wine Enthusiast
Other Vintages
Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc Steen op Hout 2010 Richard Kershaw – Chenin Blanc
Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc Steen op Hout 2009 Richard Kershaw – Chenin Blanc
Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc Steen op Hout 2008 Mike Dobrovic – Chenin Blanc
