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Mother Rock

2021

White

White Blend   |   Swartland - South Africa
Shelf Talker Spec Sheet Wine Label Bottle Image

About

The Mother Rock wines are very unique in their own regard. With no or very little sulfur added, these wines have a very marked ability to reflect their terroir – and their creator’s personality. Stompie is, as we all know, a playful, anything-but-by-the-book winemaker, and this white blend certainly reflects that ethos. A blend of four white grapes, including 25% Viognier, this wine is perfumed and expressive of its warmer climate upbringing. The 2021 vintage saw an increase in the Sémillon portion and a decrease in Chenin Blanc, reaching just about equal parts of all four grapes (Grenache Blanc being the last one). In the words of Christian Eedes, it is “simultaneously challenging and invigorating.”

The grapes were hand harvested at 19-23.5 baumé starting mid-January. The different sugar levels ensured good pH and acidity with a good structure and aromas from riper batches. They were all picked in the early morning during cooler weather, placed into lug boxes (smaller quantities mean reduced compaction and damage to the fruit) and then 70% was whole-bunch direct pressed and the remainder was whole-bunch skin fermented. The fruit went into a combination of 70% concrete, 20% old French oak, and 10% stainless steel for spontaneous fermentation. After 14 days, the skin-contact portion was pressed, and the wine was sent back to fermentation vessels for aging. This period lasted about 21 months, using a combination of oxidative and flor-style techniques. The wines was then racked to tank and bottled with just a small addition of sulfur. No fining or filtering.

Stats

  • Grapes: 27% Chenin Blanc - 25% Viognier - 25% Sémillon - 23% Grenache Blanc
  • Vineyard: Hillside Vineyard (southwest of Malmesbury)
  • Vine Age: Average: 32-years-old
  • Soil Type: Granite, schist, and Koffieklip
  • Viticulture: Sustainable
  • Fermentation: Native – 70% concrete, 20% old French oak, and 10% stainless steel (30% whole-bunch skin ferment and 70% whole-bunch direct press)
  • Skin Contact: 2 weeks
  • Aging: 21 months in fermentation vessels
  • Alcohol: 12.5%
  • pH: 3.64
  • Total Acidity: 4.4 g/L
  • Total SO2: 43 ppm
  • Total Production: 667 cases
  • UPC: None

Tasting Notes

The nose is redolent of apple, apricot, and citrus, with a waxy almond nuance. On the palate, the wine is round and textured, with a subtle lift on the finish. A Stompie wine, full of Swartland character!

Press & Reviews

The WineMag

95

"27% Chenin Blanc, 25% Semillon, 25% Viognier and 23% Grenache Blanc. Components fermented and matured separately in a combination of concrete and older oak for seven months before being blended and matured for a further 14 months. Winemaking also involves some skin contact and ageing under flor.

Complex aromatics including floral perfume, hay and fynbos before citrus, peach, apple and spice plus a slight nuttiness. The palate is lean and fresh but simultaneously detailed. Plenty of drive, the finish long and pithy."

- Christian Eedes
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Producer


Mother Rock

Region


Swartland

Country


South Africa

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