Painted Wolf Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2017

Tasting Notes: An elegant wine, with an aroma of peach cobbler, lime and vanilla. The wine has a creamy finessed texture with a long finish with just enough acid to keep it fresh and vibrant.

The story of this wine: We share our wine making equipment with Leeuwenkuil Family vineyards in their artisanal cellar on Koopmanskloof farm in Stellenbosch. Through this relationship we have access to a some of the best vineyards in Paarl and Swartland. These Chenin Blanc grapes are from vines which are over 30 years old.

Our friend Jenny Metelerkamp who lived with us at Lloyd’s camp, Botswana produced the fine Painted Wolf ink drawing for our logo and the pack labels.

Food suggestions:The use of wild yeast and barrel fermentation for this wine has yielded a Chenin that is both sleek and complex, suitable for country cooking with a French flair.

The vineyard:These Chenin Blanc grapes were harvested from two blocks of 30 plus-year-old vines in Agter Paarl. The vines are growing in composite soils of granite and decomposed shale.

Winemaking: The fruit was harvested at 23 to 24 balling, whole bunch pressed and settled before being fermented in barrel with natural wild yeast. The barrels used are large new, 2^nd fill and older French oak barrels. Fermentation was very slow.

Ageing Potential: This wine will develop in bottle over the coming 3-4 years, gaining complexity as it develops in bottle.