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Steen, Donkiesbaai

From the holiday home of the Engelbrecht family where crayfish and a cold glass of Steen (Chenin Blanc) is part of the history that is Donkiesbaai.

Bold, fruity aromas of pineapple, lime cordial, and yellow peach mingle with notes of biscotti and nougat. Rich and textured on the palate with elderflower, peach and macadamia. The intensity of the fruit is balanced by well-integrated oak. The distinctive complexity of the Donkiesbaai Steen stems from the age of the bush vines, the majority of which are over 38 years old. These old vines consistently produce small crops of intensely flavoured and expressive fruit.

Technical analysis

ALCOHOL

13.1 %

RESIDUAL SUGAR

1.9 g/L

pH

3.37

ACIDITY

5.5 g/L

ORIGIN

South Africa

VARIETY

Chenin Blanc

FINED USING

Bentonite

TIME IN OAK

Partial

MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION

Partial

CLOSURE

Cork

BOTTLE SIZE

75cl

REGION

Piekenierskloof

VEGETARIAN

Yes

VEGAN

Yes

Vinification details

The grapes were harvested on six dates, with different picks providing a range of aromatic characters. Two early picks bring fresh acidity. Two middle picks added great balance and perfectly ripe tropical fruit characters. The final two picks of smaller bunches and berries added
deep concentration and palate weight to the resulting wine. The Steen is then made up of three components: 75% is fermented in French oak then matured in a combination of new and seasoned 500l barrels. 25% is fermented spontaneously and matured on the lees in concrete eggs.

 

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The palate is honeyed nectarine, apricot, and finely oaked with structural elements.

IWSC

Steen, Donkiesbaai

From the holiday home of the Engelbrecht family where crayfish and a cold glass of Steen (Chenin Blanc) is part of the history that is Donkiesbaai.

Intense fruit aromas of apple and quince combine with honeysuckle and fresh pineapple on the nose. Medium-bodied, with well-integrated acidity that lifts rich flavours of lemon meringue, preserved peaches, papaya, and honeycomb. A creamy mid-palate with a coating mouthfeel, and a long fruity finish.

Technical analysis

ALCOHOL

13.3 %

RESIDUAL SUGAR

3.6 g/L

pH

3.27

ACIDITY

5.9 g/L

ORIGIN

South Africa

VARIETY

Chenin Blanc

FINED USING

Bentonite

MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION

Partial

CLOSURE

Cork

BOTTLE SIZE

75cl

REGION

Piekenierskloof

VEGETARIAN

Yes

VEGAN

Yes

Vinification details

Grapes were harvested on six dates, with different picks providing a range of aromatic characters. Two early picks bring fresh acidity. Two middle picks added great balance and perfectly ripe tropical fruit characters. The final two picks of smaller bunches and berries added deep concentration and palate weight to the resulting wine. Steen is made up of 75% fermented in French oak then matured in a combination of new and seasoned 500l barrels, and 25% fermented spontaneously and matured on the lees in concrete eggs.

 

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Delicate grapefruit and pineapple with a apple palate and vanilla hints

International Wine Challenge

Steen, Donkiesbaai

From the holiday home of the Engelbrecht family where crayfish and a cold glass of Steen (Chenin Blanc) is part of the history that is Donkiesbaai.

Delicate floral aromas of honeysuckle develop into typical fruity notes of lemon, lime, and white peach. As the wine opens up, more complex aromas emerge, showing layered notes of peach cobbler, pancake, spice and quince. Subtle zesty acidity balances a medium bodied wine, with a creamy mouth-feel and complexity that follows from the nose. A serious wine with a lingering finish of orange zest.

Technical analysis

ALCOHOL

14.3 %

RESIDUAL SUGAR

3.8 g/L

pH

3.24

ACIDITY

5.7 g/L

ORIGIN

South Africa

VARIETY

Chenin Blanc

MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION

Yes

CLOSURE

Screw top

BOTTLE SIZE

75cl

REGION

Piekenierskloof

VEGETARIAN

Yes

VEGAN

Yes

Vinification details

Our Steen is made up of four components: 50% is fermented in French oak then matured in a combination of new and seasoned barrels. 30% is fermented spontaneously and matured on the lees in concrete eggs. 10% is fermented spontaneously in clay Amphoras to retain freshness. 10% is retained in stainless steel tanks and blended in prior to bottling.

 

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Five different components - featuring stainless steel, oak, concrete eggs and amphoras - are used to make this focused, appealingly packaged Steen.

Tim Atkin MW

Steen, Donkiesbaai

From the holiday home of the Engelbrecht family where crayfish and a cold glass of Steen (Chenin Blanc) is part of the history that is Donkiesbaai.

A subtle note of frangipani provides a top note to intense fruit aromas of citrus with lots of white peach, nectarine and white pineapple. The intensity of fruit follows through on the palate, uplifted by a racy acidity. Flavours of lemon and lime are more prominent, with cape gooseberry, pineapple, peach and a creamy texture of lemon curd providing body. Fresh, layered and balanced with a dry yet textured mouthfeel and a zesty citrus finish.

Technical analysis

ALCOHOL

13.6 %

RESIDUAL SUGAR

2.8 g/L

pH

3.17

ACIDITY

6.3 g/L

ORIGIN

South Africa

VARIETY

Chenin Blanc

TIME IN OAK

6 months (portion of blend)

MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION

Yes

CLOSURE

Screw top

BOTTLE SIZE

75cl

REGION

Piekenierskloof

VEGETARIAN

Yes

VEGAN

Yes

Vintage conditions

Piekenierskloof has a warm climate but enjoys light winds from the southwest which results in cool evenings. The vineyards grow at high altitude, 520 metres.

Vinification details

Donkiesbaai Steen is made of 5 components. 15% is fermented in stainless steel tanks and transferred to seasoned barrels for 6 months’ maturation. 50% is fermented in French oak barrels then racked off the gross lees and matured in a combination of new and seasoned barrels. 20% is fermented spontaneously and matured in concrete eggs on the lees for added complexity and mouthfeel. 10% is fermented spontaneously in clay amphoras to retain the freshness and natural acidity of the Steen. 5% of the wine was stored in the tank and blended in prior to bottling, adding purity of fruit.

 

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Steen, Donkiesbaai

From the holiday home of the Engelbrecht family where crayfish and a cold glass of Steen (Chenin Blanc) is part of the history that is Donkiesbaai.

This Piekenierskloof Chenin Blanc exhibits a parade of white peach, wax and dried herbs/fynbos aromas. Richly flavoured, the palate is of crunchy apple, yellow fruit and lemon cream underscored by a cracking line of acidity and a persistent saline finish, a hallmark of this high-altitude vineyard.

Technical analysis

ALCOHOL

14.3 %

RESIDUAL SUGAR

2.7 g/L

pH

3.33

ACIDITY

6.0 g/L

ORIGIN

South Africa

VARIETY

Chenin Blanc

TIME IN OAK

6 months (portion of blend)

MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION

Yes

CLOSURE

Cork

BOTTLE SIZE

75cl

REGION

Piekenierskloof

VEGETARIAN

Yes

VEGAN

Yes

Vintage conditions

The 2018 vintage was extremely dry, however with improved farming and vineyard management yielded great quality and volumes to produce a 100% Piekenierskloof Steen. Piekenierskloof has a warm climate but enjoys light winds from the southwest which results in cool evenings. The vineyards grow at high altitude, 520 meters, with an average rainfall of 317mm in 2018. The grapes were harvested at 24° Balling.

Vinification details

Donkiesbaai Steen is made of 5 components. 15% is fermented in stainless steel tanks and transferred to old barrels for 6 months’ maturation. 50% is fermented in French Oak barrels then racked off the gross lees and matured in a combination of new (5%) and seasoned barrels. 20% fermented spontaneously and matured in concrete eggs on the lees for added complexity and mouthfeel. 10% fermented spontaneously in clay amphoras to retain the freshness and natural acidity of the Steen. 5% of the wine was stored in the tank and blended in prior to bottling, adding freshness. No sulphur was used during maturation.

 

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Steen, Donkiesbaai

From the holiday home of the Engelbrecht family where crayfish and a cold glass of Steen (Chenin Blanc) is part of the history that is Donkiesbaai.

Light fresh straw hues. Tropical aromas of peaches, apricots and pineapple are well supported by fresh lime and melon notes that add a fantastic complexity to the nose. The wine shows good follow through of the stone fruit and pineapple onto the palate with a rich, creamy mouthfeel and an elegant, balanced finish.

Technical analysis

ALCOHOL

14.3 %

RESIDUAL SUGAR

1.9 g/L

pH

3.12

ACIDITY

6.0 g/L

ORIGIN

South Africa

WINEMAKER

Roelof Lotriet

VARIETY

Chenin Blanc

TIME IN OAK

5 months (portion of blend)

SULPHUR

Total: 118 Free: 40

MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION

No

CLOSURE

Cork

BOTTLE SIZE

75cl

REGION

Piekenierskloof

VEGETARIAN

Yes

VEGAN

Yes

Vinification details

The grapes are de-stemmed, crushed, pressed and left overnight to settle. A portion of the wine was fermented in old French oak barrels for five months prior to bottling.

 

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