Bellingham Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2023
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RATINGS
Vivino: 4.1 | Tim Atkin: 93 points | Platter's: 4.5 stars
TASTING NOTES
100% Chenin Blanc
The Bellingham Old Vine Chenin Blanc is one of the very first old vine focused wines in South Africa. This vineyard, planted in 1983 in the cool climate of Cape Town, is a rare and sought-after site in the area. The unirrigated single vineyard is planted on a combination of weathered shale and granite soils, on a low-yield, east- facing slope and cooled by sea breezes from Table Bay and False Bay.
Harvesting of these old vines takes place in two phases. The first batch is destined as the "fruit or nose" component and is fermented naturally in 2500l older foudre for freshness and fruit development (36%). The later or riper harvested component ferments naturally in first (32%) and second-fill (32%) 300l French Oak barrels and fills out the palate of the wine.
Post fermentation, the wine is left on the lees and undergoes monthly bâtonnage until final tasting, blending and bottling about 10 months later.
The wine is defined by its cool climate origins with multi layers of fruit and freshness. Prominently on the nose one notes straw, sweet, ripe stone fruit, pineapple, green apple and ripe lime with underlying cedarwood and sweet oak spice. The palate is crisp at entry with a burst of citrus and both white and yellow peach. Delicate ripe fruit sweetness is well-balanced with a lingering crisp acidity. Overall, a fruit forward and seamless wine with power and balance that will develop and drink well for many years from vintage
The perfect food wine, enjoyable throughout the year.
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| Varietals |
100% Chenin Blanc |
| Alcohol | 13.5 % |
| Residual Sugar | 3.0 g/L |
| pH | 3.54 |
| Total Acidity | 5.73 g/L |