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Tembela Wines

2022

Verdelho

Stellenbosch - South Africa
Shelf Talker Spec Sheet Wine Label Bottle Image

About

In the short three years that Banele has been bottling wines under his Tembela brand, he’s had two different white wine releases. In 2020, he released Verdelho, which will always hold a special place in his heart because on a day he was visiting the vineyard, he got the call that his mother, Tembela, had passed away. All seasons come to pass; Banele wasn’t able to secure the Verdelho vineyard for a second vintage, and thus turned to Chenin Blanc. Yet in 2022, Banele managed to get enough fruit for 70 cases of Verdelho from the certified organic Longridge Wine Estate in Stellenbosch. Planted on granitic soils, this 22-year-old vineyard produces immaculate fruit with verve and concentration.

The grapes were 100% whole-bunch pressed and then the juice was allowed to settle overnight in stainless steel. The clear juice was racked off the solids, and then was sent to an old 600L barrel for fermentation. The wine stayed there for 13 months on the gross lees. Bottling followed without fining and just a light sheet filtration and a 36 ppm dose of sulfur.

Stats

  • Grapes: 90% Verdelho - 10% Sémillon
  • Vineyard: Longridge Wine Estate vineyard
  • Vine Age: 22-years-old
  • Soil Type: Granitic soils
  • Viticulture: Certified organic
  • Fermentation: Native – old 600L barrel (100% whole-bunch pressed)
  • Skin Contact: Just at the press
  • Aging: 13 months on gross lees
  • Alcohol: 13%
  • pH: 3.43
  • Total Acidity: 5.8 g/L
  • Total SO2: 36 ppm
  • Total Production: 70 cases

Tasting Notes

A very detailed nose unfurls into pear, peach, apricot, and lime with a touch of white flowers. The palate is deep and concentrated while remaining zingy with acidity before a bone-dry finish.

Press & Reviews

The WineMag

93

"From Stellenbosch grapes. Includes just under 10% Semillon. Matured for 13 months in an old 600-litre barrel. Complex aromatics of pear, peach, lime, lemon and pineapple with notes of dried herbs and blossom in the background. Pure fruit and arresting acidity before a bone-dry finish. Linear without being skeletal. Alcohol: 13%."

- Christian Eedes

Jancis Robinson

16.5

"Toasty-yet-green nose. Very pure and bone dry. The fruit, the whole fruit and nothing but the fruit. Encased in a little used-oak frame. No hurry to drink this."

- Jancis Robinson

Tim Atkin, MW

92

"Banele Vakele sources this Verdelho from the Driefontein vineyard on the side of the Helderberg, blending it with 10% Semillon. Old barrel-fermented and aged, it has an engaging medley of quince, citrus and green apple flavours and a very taut, almost bracing finish for a 2022. 2024-29"

- Tim Atkin, MW

Producer


Tembela Wines

Region


Stellenbosch

Country


South Africa

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