Delheim - 'Wild Ferment' Chenin blanc, Stellenbosch - 2019 (750ml)

Wine Composition

100% Chenin Blanc 

Winemakers Comments

A Complex array of wild fermentation characteristics are ever present in this edition of the Delheim Wild Ferment. Dominant fragrances on stone fruits and orange peel held together by a subtle hint of caramel. Vibrant fruit with plentiful mouth feel and lasting finish are in beautiful harmony on the palate. A truly beautiful display of sublime vineyards, minimal intervention winemaking and mother nature. 

Awards

John Platter | 4 stars

Technical Analysis

Alcohol Percentage

13.89% 

Total Acidity

6.9 g/l 

pH

3.29

RS

1.9 g/l

Cellar Techniques

2018 harvest was a classic vintage with all the Chenin Blanc blocks performing well. The grapes had reached phenolic ripeness and portray all the hallmarks of the classic Wild Ferment Chenin Blanc. Fruit from the two blocks were treated differently in the cellar with the Bobbejaan being whole bunch pressed while the Ou jong Steen's grapes was de-stemmed and crushed. Juice yielded was allowed to settle before it was racked into 500 L barrels where indigenous yeast played a huge role in contributing to the profile of this wine. After Maturation the wine was racked off its primary lees and clarified by means of settling resulting in a wine that wasn't altered before bottling in order to contain the most aromatic compound in the wine that would have been lost due to such an action otherwise.

Winemaker 

Name - Spatz Sperling

Winery

Delheim Wine Estate is situated in the Simonsberg Ward of Stellenbosch in South Africa, with views that are breathtaking all year round.
Over the years, Delheim became a microcosm of Spatz's visionary work in the greater Stellenbosch community and the Cape winelands as a whole.
The indomitable Spatz was the unwitting pioneer of public wine tasting events personally hosted by winemakers outside the winelands. In 1962 he embarked upon his first 'tasting tour', ferrying himself and his wines by car, train, and plane to East London, Port Elizabeth, and Johannesburg, the first producer to do so.
The ultimate wine industry recognition of Michael 'Spatz' Sperling's extraordinary contribution to Cape wine came in 2009, the year in which the industry celebrated 350 years of winemaking. He was one the pioneers honoured with the 350 Celebration Scroll.

Conservation: By sharing the land amongst all the stakeholders and training people to understand and appreciate - as well as work on - the land, Delheim is fostering a system that yields a livelihood for everyone; one that will continue to do so for future generations. With 375 hectares of land situated in the beautiful Simonsberg Ward of Stellenbosch, Delheim is a keen exponent of the wine industry’s movement to conserve the region.