Delheim - 'Wild Ferment' Chenin blanc, Stellenbosch - 2020 (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 supported by a subtle notes of honey suckle. Vibrant fruit with plentiful mouth feel and lasting finish on the palate. A truly beautiful display of an old vineyard portraying its story. 

Awards

Tim Atkin | 93 points

Technical Analysis

Alcohol Percentage

13% 

Total Acidity

6.2 g/l 

pH

3.28

RS

2.2 g/l

Cellar Techniques

We approach this wine in a very natural way of making wine to respect the fruit from the oldest block of Chenin blanc on the farm. The grapes are picked early morning to keep the temperature as cold as possible. Bunches are destalked and grapes crushed before a gentle press. The juice is left to settle for close to two days at cold temperatures then racked off in to barrels for fermentation. Spontaneous fermentation is allowed to take place (no commercial yeast is used) which allows the wine to tell its own story and that of Delheim terroir. Post-fermentation, the wine is left on its fine lees to mature for another nine months, after which it receives a light filtration and minimum dose of sulphur before bottling. We then keep it at optimum temperature for another year of bottle maturation.

Winemaker 

Name - Roelof Lotriet

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.