A trail-blazing wine with great structure, texture, length and balance [...] Built to last but really delicious now.
DWWA 2018
DeMorgenzon’s Reserve Chenin Blanc comes from low-yielding vines that were planted in 1972 in decomposed granite soils.
This show-stopping white displays effusive aromas of white flower, stone fruit, honey and toast which erupt into opulent flavours of pear, orange blossom, caramel and spice. It’s a world class wine that strikes a brilliant balance between lush fruit and crisp, mouth-watering acidity.
Technical analysis
ALCOHOL
14.4 %
RESIDUAL SUGAR
3.7 g/L
pH
3.34
ACIDITY
5.9 g/L
ORIGIN
South Africa
WINEMAKER
Carl van der Merwe
VARIETY
Chenin Blanc
FINED USING
Isinglass
TIME IN OAK
11 months
MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION
Partial
CLOSURE
Cork
BOTTLE SIZE
75cl
REGION
Stellenbosch
VEGETARIAN
No
VEGAN
No
Vintage conditions
2017 was another hot and dry vintage in the Cape. Although the day time temperatures were warm, evening temperatures were much cooler than normal resulting in wines with incredible weight and texture, yet with great acidity and length. The dryness of the season resulted in minimal disease pressure with fruit arriving at the winery in very good condition. The grapes were handpicked and selected in the early morning at between 21º and 22º balling.
Vinification details
The grapes were picked in three different passes in order to achieve optimum ripeness and balance in the final wine. The grapes were handpicked in the early morning hours, with bunch selection done in the vineyard. Fruit was cooled down and then gently pressed, whole bunch, and the juice was settled overnight without the use of settling enzymes. Fermentation occurred naturally in French oak barrels (25% new), using indigenous yeasts, with about 30% of the volume completing malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged on its lees in barrel for 11 months, without any topping or bâtonnage.
Awards
Tim Atkin MW: 95 pts
DWWA 2018: Platinum
IWSC 2018: Silver Outstanding
IWC 2018: Silver
Decanter: 95 pts
Platter: 5*
Greg Sherwood MW: 95 pts
Green credentials
Accredited Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) estate.
Contact us to discuss
I find more nuance and harmony here compared to the 2015, a delicacy married with intensity in the finish, a tang of clear honey on the aftertaste (although there was no botrytis in the vineyard).
Neal Martin, eRobertParker.com
DeMorgenzon’s Reserve Chenin Blanc comes from low-yielding vines that were planted in 1972 in decomposed granite soils.
This show-stopping white displays effusive aromas of white flower, stone fruit, honey and toast which erupt into opulent flavours of pear, orange blossom, caramel and spice. It’s a world class wine that strikes a brilliant balance between lush fruit and crisp, mouth-watering acidity.
Technical analysis
ALCOHOL
13.9 %
RESIDUAL SUGAR
2.8 g/L
pH
3.38
ACIDITY
5.8 g/L
ORIGIN
South Africa
WINEMAKER
Carl van der Merwe
VARIETY
Chenin Blanc
HARVEST DATE
January 2016
FINED USING
Milk, Isinglass
TIME IN OAK
11 months
SULPHUR
Total: 142 Free: 37
MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION
No
CLOSURE
Cork
BOTTLE SIZE
75cl
REGION
Stellenbosch
VEGETARIAN
No
VEGAN
No
Vintage conditions
2016 was a very early season with early flowering dates followed by rapid ripening in the early part of the summer. Weather conditions during the ripening period of the Chenin Blanc were cool to begin with, with very warm conditions close to harvest, however night time temperatures remained cool, preserving acidity. Fruit quality was perfect with no disease. Optimally ripe fruit with a small percentage of raisins and no botrytis was harvested.
Vinification details
The grapes were picked in four different passes between 23rd and 28th January in order to achieve optimum ripeness and balance in the final wine. The grapes were handpicked in the early morning hours, with bunch selection done in the vineyard. Fruit was cooled down and then gently pressed, whole bunch, and the juice was settled overnight without the use of settling enzymes. Fermentation occurred naturally in French oak barrels (25% new), using indigenous yeasts. The wine was aged on its lees in barrel for 11 months, without any topping or bâtonnage.
Awards
IWC 2017: Gold and Trophies ‘Best South African Chenin Blanc’ and ‘Best International Chenin Blanc’
Tim Atkin MW: 95 pts
eRobertParker.com: 93 pts
DWWA 2017: Silver
Green credentials
Accredited Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) estate.
Contact us to discuss
DeMorgenzon’s Reserve Chenin Blanc comes from low-yielding vines that were planted in 1972 in decomposed granite soils.
This show-stopping white displays effusive aromas of white flower, stone fruit, honey and toast which erupt into opulent flavours of pear, orange blossom, caramel and spice. It’s a world class wine that strikes a brilliant balance between lush fruit and crisp, mouth-watering acidity.
Technical analysis
ALCOHOL
13.8 %
RESIDUAL SUGAR
2.2 g/L
pH
3.39
ACIDITY
6.4 g/L
ORIGIN
South Africa
WINEMAKER
Carl van der Merwe
VARIETY
Chenin Blanc
FINED USING
Milk, Isinglass
TIME IN OAK
11 months
SULPHUR
Total: 90 Free: 30
MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION
No
CLOSURE
Cork
BOTTLE SIZE
75cl
REGION
Stellenbosch
Vintage conditions
2015 was a very early season with early flowering dates followed by rapid ripening in the early part of the summer. Weather conditions during the ripening period of the Chenin Blanc were cool to begin with, with very warm conditions close to harvest, however night time temperatures remained cool, preserving acidity. Fruit quality was perfect with no disease. Optimally ripe fruit with a small percentage of raisins and no botrytis was harvested.
Vinification details
The grapes were picked in three different passes in order to achieve optimum ripeness and balance in the final wine. The grapes were handpicked in the early morning hours, with bunch selection done in the vineyard. Fruit was cooled down and then gently pressed, whole bunch, and the juice was settled overnight without the use of settling enzymes. Fermentation occurred naturally in French oak barrels (25% new), using indigenous yeasts. The wine was aged on its lees in barrel for 11 months, without any topping or bâtonnage.
Awards
IWC 2016: Gold and Trophy ‘Best Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc’
Decanter 2016: Gold
IWSC 2016: Gold
eRobertParker.com: 92 pts
Green credentials
Accredited Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) estate.
Contact us to discuss