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Thistle & Weed

2022

‘Duwweltjie’

Chenin Blanc   |   Paarl - South Africa
Shelf Talker Spec Sheet Wine Label Bottle Image

About

Inspired and named after the Duwweltjies (Tribulus terrestris – Devils thorns) growing in the vineyard that cling to the soles of your shoes—reminders of paths travelled and those yet to be explored. This Chenin blanc is sourced from the Duwweltjie vineyard in Damarakloof, in the region of Paarl. The vines are 62-years-old, and this wine showcases the depth and complexity of old-vine Chenin Blanc. The Duwweltjie label was the first one made by Stephanie and Etienne, so this wine holds a special place in their hearts.

The winemaking is kept simple and true — whole bunch pressed, only the free run juice was used for natural fermentation in older French oak barrels. The lees was stirred for the first month, after which the wine was allowed to mature on the lees for nine months prior to bottling without fining and just a gentle sheet filtration and small dosage of sulfur.

Stats

  • Grapes: 100% Chenin Blanc
  • Vineyard: Duwweltjie Vineyard (Damarakloof)
  • Vine Age: 62-years-old
  • Soil Type: Granite with surface Malmesbury rocks (ferricrete - koffieklip)
  • Viticulture: Sustainable
  • Fermentation: Native – old 225L oak barrels
  • Skin Contact: None
  • Aging: 9 months in old 225L oak barrels
  • Alcohol: 13%
  • pH: 3.39
  • Total Acidity: 5.3 g/L
  • Total SO2: 110 ppm
  • Total Production: 500 cases
  • UPC: 700083611482

Tasting Note

A uniquely Paarl expression that is wonderfully layered with a broader mid-palate, Duwweltjie bursts with peach and citrus aromatics typical of a Chenin Blanc. This is a stellar example of old-vine Chenin complexity.

Press & Reviews

The WineMag

94

"Grapes from a Paarl vineyard planted in 1961. Pear, peach and fynbos on the nose. The palate has good clarity of fruit, snappy acidity and a particularly dry finish. Vivid and poised."

- Christian Eedes

Tim Atkin, MW

94

"Duwweltjie - easier to drink than to spell for a non-Afrikaans speaker - comes from what Stephanie Wild calls "cool Paarl", close to Stellenbosch and Durbanville. Sourced from a three-hectare block on sandstone and ferricrete soils, it shows the concentration of its 80-year-old vines, stony intensity, layers of beeswax, lanolin and caraway seed and a taut, pithy finish. 2024-29"

- Tim Atkin, MW

Wine Spectator

92

"A fresh note of dogwood blossoms on the nose wafts through flavors of baked yellow melon, salted Marcona almond and crunchy pear, plus hints of ground ginger and cardamom. Well-cut and fresh, this is lightly chalky in texture on the finish. Drink now through 2032. 500 cases made, 125 cases imported."

- Alison Napjus
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Producer


Thistle & Weed

Region


Paarl

Country


South Africa

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