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Intellego

2020

‘Elementis’

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

About

“Elementis” is the Latin, all-encompassing word for the 4 natural elements: earth, air, fire and water. The label was done by a Swedish friend of Jurgen’s but under very ‘strict’ direction :). The bottle represents the region from where the grapes originate. The umbrella is the contrast as it reflects the style in which the wine is made – skin contact. Jurgen says, “A lot of people say that if you taste eight skin contact wines, they all taste the same. I think more people need to make wines in this style, so we can start to hone on the differences.” The red of the hand symbolizes fire, the yellow water, the green umbrella earth and the blue air. ‘Elementis’ is Jurgen’s first attempt at producing a wine that was made in an all-natural style, determined entirely by the “forces of nature.” The vineyard was planted in 1988 and situated on an east-facing slope just west of Malmesbury that experiences cool afternoon breezes.

The dry-farmed grapes were hand-picked in mid-February, destemmed and fermented on the skins in open top stainless-steel tanks. After 14 days the lots are pressed with full lees to old 500L French barrels with a bit of battonage early on. After 10 months the barrels are blended to tank and settled. The wine was bottled without fining, filtration and with a very small addition of sulfur.

Stats

  • Grapes: 100% Chenin Blanc
  • Vineyard: ‘Hillside Vineyard’ southwest of Malmesbury
  • Vine Age: 32-years-old
  • Soil Type: Sandy over oakleaf ferricrete
  • Viticulture: Practicing Organic – dry-farmed
  • Fermentation: Native – open top stainless-steel (100% destemmed - full skin contact)
  • Skin Contact: 14 days
  • Aging: 10 months in neutral 500L French barrels
  • Alcohol: 12.9%
  • pH: 3.52
  • Total Acidity: 6.2 g/L
  • Total SO2: 30 ppm
  • Total Production: 300 cases

Tasting Note

An effusive and complex aroma of citrus oils, flowers, dried orange rinds, ginger and fresh herbs. The palate is pure and fresh and a bit lighter on its feet compared to previous vintages. The acidity is lifting and highlights the purity of the wine with a gentle tannic touch and savory note. Compelling.

Press & Reviews

The WineMag

93

"From Chenin Blanc, fermented on the skins for 14 days. Compelling aromatics of orange, stone fruit, flowers, fynbos and spice while the palate is light bodied with great tension – pure with exhilarating acidity and super-saline finish. Some subtle tannic grip lends interest and as with the straight Chenin, this seems that much better realized than 2019."
- Christian Eedes
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Producer


Intellego

Region


Swartland

Country


South Africa

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