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Charla Haasbroek Wines

2021

Chenin Blanc

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

About

Charla’s Chenin Blanc comes from the low yielding bush vines of the Sijnn vineyard in Malgas. This vintage, 2021, was a vibrant year for acidity, leading to ‘laser beam’ wines. Between 2015 and 2020, there was very little rainfall in Malgas, reaching a low of about 200 mm (7.8 inches) of rain between 2018-2019. The vines, which are grown on what Charla calls ‘unimaginable,’ poor, rocky soils, have immense root systems as they had to seek out water and nutrients very deep within the ground during these drought years.

The grapes were hand picked and brought to the Sijnn cellar for processing. An old basket press was used to press the clusters (100% whole-bunch) before the juice went to old 400L French oak barrels for spontaneous fermentation. The wine remained there for 11 months before it was hand bottled, unfined and unfiltered. The only addition was minimal sulfur.

 

Stats

  • Grapes: 100% Chenin Blanc
  • Vineyard: Sijnn Vineyard
  • Vine Age: 15-years-old
  • Soil Type: Round river stones over schist and Bokkeveld shale
  • Viticulture: Practicing organic
  • Fermentation: Native — 400L old French oak (100% whole-bunch)
  • Skin Contact: None
  • Aging: 9 months on the lees
  • Alcohol: 14%
  • Residual Sugar: 1.7 g/L
  • pH: 3.06
  • Total Acidity: 7.5 g/L
  • Total SO2: 30 ppm
  • Total Production: 35 cases

Tasting Notes

Golden hues. The nose reveals ripe Honeycrisp apples in an apple-pie spice blend of cinnamon and nutmeg. On the palate, there is brilliant minerality and chalkiness, which adds a round texture. The acidity is tight – almost sheer – which lifts the roundness into a detailed and focused experience.

Press & Reviews

The WineMag

93

"Spontaneously fermented and mature for 11 months in an old 400-litre barrel. Complex aromatics with some flinty reduction preceding peach, apricot, cut apple, pineapple, some yeasty complexity, and spice. The palate has concentrated fruit, snappy acidity and an intensely savoury finish. Great depth of flavour – a flamboyant, edgy wine."

- Christian Eedes

Platter's Guide

94

"Single 400L barrel - just 81 cases! - 2021’s mid-gold hue & ripe apple notes reflect hands-off oxidative approach, year on lees, with flint & nutmeg. Delicious, waves of echoing flavour intensified by succulent acid thread that hems a rich texture."

- Dave Swingler

Producer


Charla Haasbroek Wines

Region


Malgas

Country


South Africa

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