Boschendal Rachelsfontein Chenin Blanc

Drink now, or age for another three to five years to evolve an intriguing and lingering complexity.

100% Chenin Blanc

The ideal wine for an all fresco summer lunch, lightly curried mussels, chicken, fish casseroles and in general Asian dishes.roast pork with redcurrant jelly or confit of duck.

The grapes used in this wine were picked from 28 year old bush vine vineyards with low yields andgood fruit. The moisture stress in the vineyard resulted in tiny berries, allowing for concentrated flavours in the wine. The grapes were sources from an area renowned for top quality Chenin. Most of these vineyards are established on Clovelly and Avalon soils.

The grapes were hand-picked at full ripeness. Harvesting took place during mid-morning. The average sugar content of the grapes was around 22º - 23° Balling, allowing for ripe, and full bodied wine.

Half of the juice was fermented with partial solids at 16°C, enhancing the rich, round fullness of the wine. The other half was fermented at a cooler 14°C in stainless steel tanks, preserving the delicate fruit flavours of the Chenin grapes. Bâtonnage, the stirring of the lees, took place weekly, which allowed for greater richness in the wine.