Circumstance Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch 2021

Circumstance Chenin Blanc 2021
Stellenbosch
This Chenin Blanc is from a windswept, south-facing vineyard which is 250m above and just two miles from the Atlantic. Yields are a miserly 5 tons per hectare. There is a minimalistic approach to winemaking which allows the flavours prevalent in that specific vineyard to express themselves in the wine.

The grapes are whole-bunch pressed, which ensures that juice is extracted in the gentlest way. The juice is fermented into older 600 litre barrels, using the wild yeast indigenous to the vineyard.  This takes seven months and the wine is left on the lees for a further three months.

It is pale lemon in colour with a gently honeyed nose with elements of green apples and citrus.  On the palate it has lovely weight and concentration with flavours of apple, apricot and citrus fruit. There is gently acidity balancing the fruit and lingering mineral finish. Extremely moreish and easy to drink but with enough structure to partner chicken, fish and Thai cuisine.