Optenhorst Chenin Blanc WO Wellington Bosman Family Vineyards, 2017

The Optenhorst Chenin Blanc vineyard, one of the oldest Chenin Blanc vineyards in the country, was planted in 1952. For many years the plot had produced very little fruit and so the grapes picked from it were mixed in with grapes from other plots. The plan was to uproot it. Then in 2006, winemaker Corlea Fourie decided to see what it would produce if the grapes were kept and vinified apart. When the wine was tasted from barrel three months later, the team were speechless — it was so good. Needless to say, since then the plot has been maintained and the wine made each year. The 2017 is bright yellow in colour with aromas of honeysuckle, quince and some savoury spice. On the palate it is soft and rich with a smooth weightiness to it. Flavours of honey and spice give the wine great depth and a lingering finish. The old gnarled bush vines are perched at the top of a hill. Grapes were picked, whole-bunch pressed, and a spontaneous fermentation allowed to occur with limited use of old oak barrels.