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Bosman Family Vineyards Optenhorst Chenin Blanc 2022

185

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Heritage

“The Bosmans were planning to uproot the old Chenin vineyard on their farm Optenhorst. I said: Just let me give it a try, and so we picked the grapes and pressed them. Three months later we tasted the wine from the barrel ... we were speechless.”
Corlea Fourie, head of wine and viticulture.


The Optenhorst Chenin Blanc was planted in 1952, making it the third oldest Chenin vineyard in the country and officially an Old Vine wine.


We endeavour to let the wine express its unique heritage which involves natural fermentation, maturation in older barrels for a short period to minimise the effects of the wood and allow the gentle, multi-layered Fruit to come through. We believe that Wellington, and particularly the Bovlei, will become a bastion of good Chenins; and that the Optenhorst Chenin Blanc will lead the way.

Wine of Origin

Wellington, South Africa.

In the vineyard

The grapes are sourced from a single vineyard site of 1952-planted bush vines called Optenhorst, which literally means perched on top of a hill. 


South Africa's 2022 grape harvest will be remembered as a cool season with moderate weather conditions which led to slower-than-usual ripening in most of South Africa’s wine-producing regions. In some cases, harvest was delayed up to a week. White cultivars did extremely well and tend to have more fruit driven profiles because of the cooler harvest.

In the cellar

Whole-bunch pressed, settled overnight and the clear juice drawn off in the morning. Spontaneous fermentation occurred in both a concrete tank and French oak barrels. The wine matured in these vessels for 8 months to build mouthfeel whilst retaining freshness.

Tasting notes

Optenhorst is a pale straw wine with vibrant golden rim. It exudes enticing aromas of ripe orchard fruits such as succulent baked apples and white pear, with hints of toasted almonds, fresh ginger and a delicate vanilla presence from the oak aging adds richness. The palate is beautifully balanced, with a luscious mouthfeel that showcases flavours of honeyed peaches and poached apricots. The subtle oak influence contributes a velvety creaminess. The wine's vibrant acidity — retained in concrete tank —  keeps the palate fresh and lively. This is a wine to be enjoyed between the 2nd to 15th years after vintage.

 

Food pairing

A great match for seared scallops, Chicken Alfredo with wild mushrooms and even vanilla bean Créme Brulée as a dessert.

Cultivars

100% Chenin Blanc


Analysis

Alcohol: 13.27%

Residual Sugar: 2.0 g/l

Acidity: 6.0 g/l

pH: 3.82

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NOT KOSHER

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