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Mother Rock

2020

‘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. 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 half was whole bunch pressed. Oxidation was allowed before ferment to add complexity and age-ability. Half of the wine was fermented in concrete eggs at 14°C, and the rest was fermented in older 300 mL barrels. Fifty percent of the grapes were whole bunch fermented on skins for 4 weeks. Aging was done for 14 months on the gross lees after which the wine was blended and bottled. No filtering, no fining, and no sulfur.

Stats

  • Grapes: 41% Chenin Blanc - 25% Viognier - 19% Grenache Blanc - 15% Semillon
  • Vineyard: Paardeberg - Malmesbury
  • Vine Age: 16-41-years-old
  • Soil Type: Koffie Klip and schist
  • Viticulture: Sustainable
  • Fermentation: Native – 50% concrete egg and 50% old 300L barrels (50% whole bunch)
  • Skin Contact: 4 weeks
  • Aging: 15 months on gross lees
  • Alcohol: 12.5%
  • pH: 3.33
  • Total Acidity: 6.0 g/L
  • Total SO2: None
  • Total Production: 833 cases
  • UPC: None

Tasting Notes

The nose is redolent of apple, apricot, and citrus, with a waxy almond nuance.  The palate is beautifully textured and balanced, and, unaltered by sulfur, it evolves on the palate towards a marked, uplifting end.

Press & Reviews

The WineMag

95

"The nose is expressive if unusual with nutty, waxy overtones as well as citrus and stone fruit, herbs and flowers. The palate is lean, fresh and super-tasty, the finish long and dry. It’s a wine that manages to be simultaneously challenging and invigorating. As ever, it’s sure to be divisive – I, for one, like it."
- Christian Eedes

Producer


Mother Rock

Region


Swartland

Country


South Africa

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