Stellenrust Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc

Stellenrust Winery is located in the beautiful Stellenbosch wine region, where they have been established since 1928. Since day one, the winery has been producing exquisite quality wines where the grape is always palatable, combined with the use of oak barrels. Stellenrust has a total of 400 hectares of land, approximately half of which is planted with various grape varieties, including this Chenin Blanc. Half of the vineyards stretch across the Stellenbosch Golden Triangle, internationally recognized for some of the finest red wine soil in South Africa. The other half is situated high in the Bottelary Hills, known for its cool climate and the late afternoon sea breezes that blow in from Cape Town, nurturing both excellent white and red wines.

The harvest of the Chenin Blanc

Stellenrust Winery is proudly still family-owned and is now run by the fourth generation. This makes it one of the largest independent wineries in South Africa. Grapes for this wine are harvested from a 54-year-old, sole Chenin Blanc vineyard on the slopes of the Bottelary Hills, hence the number on the front of the bottle, which refers to the age of the vines in the year the wine was made. Chenin Blanc grows in a cool climate where the mountain winds are free to blow. This allows the bunches to retain their freshness and minerality. The harvest also ripens slowly and evenly, allowing the bunches to draw considerable strength from the soil structure.

The aroma and taste of the Stellenrust Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc

After pressing, the juice is aged on its lees for at least a year, after which it is placed in wooden barrels ready to mature this Chenin Blanc. French and Hungarian oak barrels are stored in the Stellenrust cellars, where this Chenin Blanc matures for nine months. It creates a unique interplay between the freshness and the strength of the wooden barrels. The aroma is rich in citrus fruit with hints of spice and nuts. Swirl the glass, and you'll also smell hints of apple and cedar. The Chenin Blanc initially offers a refreshing note of citrus fruit and mint notes. Later, notes of apple and toast emerge. The finish is long and full of power and freshness.