Roodekrantz Somerkind Chenin Blanc 2024, Darling

South Africa makes the best Chenin outside the Loire. Nobody in England has caught up yet. PRODUCER; Roodekrantz Wines is a small boutique label that crafts fine artisanal wines from selected blocks of old dry land vines. South Africa's 'Old Vine Project', which aims to keep rare old-vine fruit away from large commercial blends, saw the Burger and Morkel families release the first Roodekrantz wines in 2015. Committed to preserving these ancient Certified Old Vine Heritage Vineyards, they work closely with their growers, encouraging respectful and sustainable vineyard practices. TASTING NOTE; A refined Chenin Blanc with tropical aromas of papaya and melon. The palate is fresh, balanced, and elegantly textured, offering a nuanced and sophisticated wine experience. VITICULTURE & WINEMAKING; Hand-harvested from old vines with low yields of just 2–3 tonnes per hectare, ensuring concentrated fruit and expressive character. Fermented in old 300-litre barrels using a combination of ambient and selected commercial yeasts. The wine spends nine months on fine lees, with partial malolactic fermentation (20%) to enhance texture and complexity. GRAPE VARIETIES; 100% Chenin Blanc