Stellenrust is one of the largest family-owned wine estates in South-Africa. They started their estate in 1928 and expended over the years. Nowadays, they have almost 400 hectares of land spread out over the 'Golden triangle' & Bottelary Hills. This sub-region is not only known because of its impressive landscape, but it is also the residence of the most famous wine producers of the country. The wine maker Tertius Boshoff highly values a fair-trade product. In 2005, they decided to give a little back to their 70 employees & gave them a permanent contract and empowered them on 100 hectares of their land, as main shareholders.
Information:
Variety
Chenin Blanc (100%).
Area
Stellenbosch, South-Africa.
Nature of Soils
Granite soil.
Average age of the vines
30 - 43 Years.
Alcohol Percentage
13.6% Vol.
Vinification & Maturing of the Wine
After a cold but dry winter in 2017, an early budding & development in spring followed. A good environment for the ripening fo the Chenin Blanc through a dry but cooler 2018 summer, was the result of the colder winter. The grapes are allowed short skin contact & natural settling in tank. 16% is fermented in French oak barrels & 84% in stainless steel tanks, after which both portions are kept for about 5 month on the fermentation lees before it is blended & fined. The fermentation is a slow natural process & can take up to 3 month to finish.
Tasting Notes
This Chenin Blanc shows a strong lime & some tropical fruit flavours on the nose, with a mineral palate of grape fruit & pear drop.
Recommendation
We recommend to serve this Chenin Blanc at a temperature between 8 & 10 degrees Celsius. A perfect serve with a smoked chicken salad or thin sliced carpaccio.
