THE BERNARD SERIES OLD VINE CHENIN BLANC by Bellingham 2018

Description

A luminescent gold wine with rambunctious fleshy peach, passion fruit, honey melon, papaya and pineapple fruit aromas layered with whiffs of oatmeal and crushed wheat that follow through with lavish concentrated fruit flavours from the nose – powerful yet accommodating on the palate with discernible, yet seamless and subtle spicy oak complexity. The riveting finish is fresh and intense with tremendous length.

Awards

93 pts Tim Atkin

Certificates

Vinification

The Cool cape town Vineyards was harvested at two ripeness levels to add complexity. Hand picked, larger portion of natural fermentation in barrel; foudre; Amphora and Concrete tanks. Cool climate fruit expression with good acidity. The barrels and Foudre are individually cooled to the optimum fermentation temperature. This allows slower and longer ferementations that enhance fruit and integration between the wine and oak. After fermentation, the wine was left on its lees and botonnaged monthly until blending and bottling.

Vineyard: 50% Cape Town (Durbanville); 50% Stellenbosch (Bottelary Hills)

The grapes for this celebrated wine are from 3 exceptional Chenin Blanc vineyards aged between 35 and 47 years. These low yielding old bush vines grow in soils that are predominately weathered granite, and produce fruit with rare complexity, stellar acidity and balance.

Soil Type

Soils predominately consist of weathered granite.

Viticulture

Mineral rich weather shale with great water holding capacity.

Palate

powerful yet accommodating on the palate with discernible, yet seamless and subtle spicy oak complexity. The riveting finish is fresh and intense with tremendous length, making it a great wine for enjoyment with food