Technical Analysis
Big Easy Chenin Blanc grapes were harvested from individually selected, low yielding vines from Stellenbosch, Durbanville and Perdeberg in the Western Cape.
Tasting note
Crisp apple and lemony freshness meets island aromatics of juicy mango, fresh pineapple and crushed limes. Vibrantly tropical, the palate is smooth and rounded with limy concentration and delectable fruit weight on the mid. A fine skein of acidity envelops the core of complex fruit and is sewn up beautifully dry for extra refreshment.
Vintage conditions
The 2024 vintage will be marked by the resilience of our vines through a season of contrasts. Heavy winter rainfall left the soil well-watered, providing a solid start to the growing season. However, strong winds during flowering posed a challenge, affecting the main shoots and resulting in a reduced fruit set. Despite these setbacks, the remainder of the season brought dry conditions that allowed the vines to recover and thrive. Though overall production was the lowest in the past 15 years, this scarcity bodes well for exceptional quality, promising a standout vintage in 2024.
Vinification details
The grapes were hand harvested in the early hours of the morning, before sorting, destemming and crushing took place. The juice was settled overnight to allow the sediment to drop. The clear juice was then racked off the next day before fermentation in stainless steel tanks could take place. Post fermentation lees contact was maintained for three months, before racking and stabilisation prior to bottling. This wine was crafted in a fresh style without any oak component.
Technical Analysis
Big Easy Chenin Blanc grapes were harvested from individually selected, low yielding vines from Stellenbosch, Durbanville and Perdeberg in the Western Cape.
Tasting note
Generously fruited the palate radiates with sun kissed mango, pineapple glacé, ripe green pears and licks of lime. This tropical exuberance is woven effortlessly into a rounded texture; a cool lime-soaked acidity washes through, refreshing and shaping.
Vintage conditions
The year 2023 will go down in history as a vintage that posed several challenges for the vineyards. The season commenced with mild heat, which is favourable for budburst and initial growth. Despite temperatures remaining slightly below average, the vines seemed to be gearing up for an early harvest, with both Chenin and rose varieties ripening up to seven days earlier than usual. Consequently, these cultivars exhibited desirable levels of sweetness and ripeness during harvesting.
Vinification details
After the grapes had been sorted, the grapes were destemmed and lightly crushed. The wine was settled overnight and the sediment was racked off the next day. Post fermentation lees contact was maintained for two months with weekly stirring of the lees before racking and stabilisation prior to bottling. This wine is crafted in a fresh style without any oak component.
Technical Analysis
Big Easy Chenin Blanc grapes were harvested from individually selected, low yielding vines from Stellenbosch, Durbanville and Perdeberg in the Western Cape.
Tasting note
Scents of the tropics... pineapple chunks, salted mango, pawpaw and squeezes of lime drift on the breeze of orange blossom, honeysuckle and the faintest whiff of summer fynbos. This transporting bouquet follows on to the palate evolving into stone fruits; fresh cut peaches, bites of nectarine freshness and zesty apple skin. The fruit is mouth coating and rich lifted by an inherent vibrancy that crests long into the lime-tinged, chalky finish.
Vintage conditions
The 2022 vintage will definitely be remembered as the year where we had good fruit set. After pruning, budburst came about two weeks later than expected. This resulted in flowering occurring in a period with cooler temperatures. The mild conditions, coupled with cooler days in between, resulted in a slower and longer ripening period, allowing for excellent fruit development without any damage due to sunburn. The heat just before harvest was important for the final ripening process, resulting in grapes with developed flavours and good sugar.
Vinification details
After the grapes had been sorted, the grapes were destemmed and lightly crushed. The wine was settled overnight and the sediment was racked off the next day. Post fermentation lees contact was maintained for two months with weekly stirring of the lees before racking and stabilisation prior to bottling. This wine is crafted in a fresh style without any oak component.
Technical Analysis
Big Easy Chenin Blanc grapes were harvested from individually selected, low yielding vines from Stellenbosch, Durbanville and Perdeberg in the Western Cape.
Tasting note
There is an abundance of tropical fruit. Some honeysuckle blossoms, yellow stone fruit, peach and passionfruit. The bouquet is summery, with added fresh cut apple and some fynbos notes. The palate that follows is juicy with ripe melon, white peach, and fresh, bright acidity. Jam packed with fruit flavours and a citrus edge to the medium bodied lusciousness on the palate. The finish is persistent; rich fruited with an attractive youthful vibrancy.
Vintage conditions
The 2021 Vintage was an interesting Vintage with the temperature heating up again and the soil water was back to where it should be. The Chenin Blanc is shining all the way. Chenin Blanc is not scared of direct sunlight on the vines, as the fruit enjoys a bit of heat. The cooler days in between resulted in a slower and longer ripening period that allowed excellent fruit development without any damage due to sunburn.
Vinification details
After the grapes had been sorted, the grapes were destemmed and lightly crushed. The wine was settled overnight and the sediment was racked off the next day. Post fermentation lees contact was maintained for two months with weekly stirring of the lees before racking and stabilisation prior to bottling. This wine is crafted in a fresh style without any oak component.
Technical Analysis
Big Easy Chenin Blanc grapes were harvested from individually selected, low yielding vines from Stellenbosch, Durbanville and Perdeberg in the Western Cape.
Tasting note
Hints of citrus peel and notes of preserved lemon and lime are rounded out with riper guava, quince and white florals. While super fresh, there is a hint of crushed almond to add weight with gentle acidity that follows to a medium-long finish.
Vintage conditions
The effect of the drought still lingered in the background of the 2019 vintage. The estate continued their efforts in the canopy, managing water use to irrigate as little as possible. The 2019 season started surprisingly cool with no heat waves. One challenge that arose was uneven bud burst, managed selectively in harvesting followed by berry selection at the cellar. The mild stress of the vines was eased by the cooler temperatures that were experienced, allowing for smaller berries. During fruit ripening the cooler weather persisted, giving the grapes some fantastic hang time and development, which usually can’t be afforded due to the fast sugar accumulation.
Vinification details
The grapes were hand-picked in the cool of early morning. On the sorting table, all excess stalks and inferior berries were carefully removed before grape bunches were gently de-stemmed and lightly crushed. The wine was settled overnight and the sediment racked-off the following day. Post fermentation lees contact was maintained for two months with weekly stirring of the lees before racking and stabilisation prior to bottling. This wine is crafted in a fresh style without any oak contact.
