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De Morgenzon Reserve Chenin Blanc
Kevin's tasting notes: This has to be far and away the best Chenin Blanc I have ever tasted! Rich, full flavours ammass in the mouth and the strong but subtle oak mingles beautifully with the intense Chenin characteristics.
Winery information: De Morgenzon's (the morning sun) slopes rise from about 200m to nearly 400m above sea level and the views embrace Cape Town, Table Mountain,
Cape Point, Cape Hangklip, the Hottentots Holland mountains, Helderberg and Simonsberg with the ocean as a backdrop. De Morgenzon likes to be known as 'a garden vineyard'. In Spring specially chosen wildflowers flourish
between our vines. The thinking is that a biodiverse and ecologically sensitive environment produces infinitely better grapes and the beauty of the gardens is captured in every bottle of our wine. e Baroque music is piped through our vineyards 24x7 in the belief that the power of music positively influences the ripening process.
Viticulture: These Chenin Blanc vineyards are situated on the farm DeMorgenzon in the Stellenboschkloof. Planted in 1971 the trellised vineyard is managed to ensured natural high acidity and full flavour concentration. The yield was 5,8 (30hl/ha - only free-run juice used) tons per hectare.
Vinification: Bunch selection was done in the vineyard. The grapes were lightly crushed and the free-run juice was allowed to settle overnight. Only natural yeast was
used in making this wine, using the indigenous micro flora on the grapes. The juice with the fluffy lees was then fermented in French oak barrels. Fermentation took place in a 14ºC cellar but actual fermentation temperatures
were not monitored. DeMorgenzon Chenin blanc matured in barrel for eight months on the lees; thereafter it was racked, lightly filtered and bottled without being stabilized. 6080 bottles were made.
Tasting Note: Pale straw, bright with green tinge. Layers of pineapple, vanilla and quince on the nose. This flavours follows on the palate culminating in a tropical fruit salad, with crisp acidity and perfectly in balance. The lingering aftertaste is of honeybush, grapefruit and a hint of ginger.
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