Wine Composition
100% Chenin Blanc
Winemakers Comments
A clear and bright wine with hints of lime and gold. The palate is both rich and refreshing and contains elements of honey, nuts and ripe pineapple and hints of yellow peach. The wine is classically dry, yet luxuriously silky with superb viscosity and length.
Technical Analysis
Alcohol Percentage
13.5%
TA
5.6 g/l
pH
3.35
RS
1.7 g/l
Vineyards /Vintage
Lofty altitudes and westerly aspects punctuate the quality of the Chenin
Blanc. For the 2013 vintage, we selected the fruit from 32 year old Chenin
vines with a north south row direction. These old vineyards were harvested in three stages. Fruit that was exposed to direct sunlight, then fruit that was hanging partially in the sun and finally fruit inside the canopy (shaded fruit). This equipped the winemaker with luscious, gradually ripened fruit with a variety of flavours.
Cellar Techniques
The partially shaded fruit (30% of the blend) was tank fermented at a cool
fermentation temperature, hovering around 13° - 14° C. This helped to
express the ripe tropical fruit character of the variety. The balance (70%)
was barrel fermented and aged for 8 months on the lees to add to the
complexity and rich mouth feel of the wine. Thereafter both the
components were blended. This resulted in a full-bodied wine with a yellow fruit intensity.
Winemaker
Name - Jacques Viljoen
Winery
Situated on the Stellenbosch Wine Route, Zevenwacht has viticultural roots which penetrate deep into the historic past of South Africa. While literally meaning Seven Expectations, the name Zevenwacht exemplifies the abundant delights which await visitors to the Farm. A leader in wine tourism, Zevenwacht was one of the first Wine Estates to establish a restaurant, hotel and conference facility, Cheesery and Spa on the Estate.
The wines of Zevenwacht are distinguished by their classic style and finely crafted elegance. Winemaker Jacques Viljoen honours century-old wine-making traditions, yet is boldly innovative, welcoming the contribution that modern technology makes to the vinification of premier wines. Covering 120 hectares of the 450 hectare property, the vineyards are ideally situated for the growing of quality grapes. Zevenwacht is characterized by good quality, varied soils and the vineyards have been selectively planted with red and white noble varietals.
