Select another wine

Thistle & Weed

2021

‘Springdoring’

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

About

Survival is everything in the Swartland. ‘Springdoring’ or ‘spiny sandburs, AKA Cenchrus incertus), the resolute hitchhiker, is quick to attach and slow to let go. But not quite as stubborn and persistent as the hardened, old bushvine Chenin Blanc. Stephanie and Etienne had been searching for the final piece of their Chenin story and knew it had to include the epicenter of the Swartland. After a chat with grower Theuns Müller, they knew the Uitvlug Farm in the Joubertskloof valley of the Paardeberg was the subject of that story. The bushvines were planted in 1982 on a granitic sand, east facing slope located at 975 feet in elevation. It has been dry-farmed for the better of the past decade with minimal invervention in the vineyard other than covercrops, pruning and a bit of leaf work. They share this block with Lukas Van Loggerenberg as it is a component of Lukas’ ‘Trust Your Gut’ Chenin Blanc.

The grapes were handpicked, delicately whole-bunch pressed with only the free-run juice being used, directly to used French oak barrels. Fermentation kicked off immediately and frequent battonage was implemented over the first month and then the wine was left to rest on the settled lees for an addtional 9 months. It was bottled without fining or filtration and just a small addition of sulfur.

Stats

  • Grapes: 100% Chenin Blanc
  • Vineyard: Uitvlug Farm (Joubertskloof, Paardeberg)
  • Vine Age: 39-years-old
  • Soil Type: Granite
  • Viticulture: Sustainable – dry-farmed
  • Fermentation: Native – old French 225L barrels
  • Skin Contact: None
  • Aging: 10 months on gross lees in old French 225L barrels
  • Alcohol: 13%
  • pH: 3.45
  • Total Acidity: 4.8 g/L
  • Total SO2: 100 ppm
  • Total Production: 150 cases
  • UPC: 781718456500

Tasting Note

Brimming with notes of grapefruit and the trademark Swartland thatch. Edgy aromatics, limes and more citrus on the pristine palate resulting in a crystalline and mineral finish.

Press & Reviews

The WineMag

92

"Grapes from a 1983 Swartland vineyard on granite. The nose is reticent with subtle notes of citrus, peach, hay and some leesy character while the palate is surprisingly luscious and thick textured – good density and tangy acidity before a slightly bitter finish."

- Christian Eedes

Tim Atkin, MW

93

"Stephanie Wild makes this taut, focused, medium-bodied Chenin Blanc from Paardeberg vines on decomposed granite. Whole bunch pressed and old wood fermented, it has fennel and fynbos aromas, a palate of oatmeal, stony minerality and citrus fruit and a very precise finish. 2022-27."

- Tim Atkin, MW

Platter's Guide

93

"Chenin from granitic Swartland soils. 2021 shows great energy & focus, unfurling layers of tropical fruit & citrus, gentle vanilla & fragrant fynbos to a steely minerality at the end. Complex & expressive, will reward cellaring, as 2020 (5 stars, 95 pts) & previous."

- Winnie Bowman
Select a wine

Producer


Thistle & Weed

Region


Swartland

Country


South Africa

Have a question or want to drop a line?

Contact Us