The den, Chenin Blanc 2011

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W.O. Coastal region

Cultivar(s): Chenin blanc 100%
Analysis: Alc: 13.5% | R.S: 6.1g/l | T.A: 3.2g/l | Ph: 3.38

Awards & accolades

  • Silver Medal – Old Mutual Trophy Wine Awards 2012
  • 3.5 stars – Classic Wine Chenin Blanc Challenge

The story of this wine

The den wines are social wines to be enjoyed with friends and family. These wines are named for the den, the heart of all African wild dog communities. Flavour-packed, soft and juicy comfort wines for every day drinking.

Jenny Metelerkamp produced a fine Painted Wolf ink drawing for the label.

Tasting notes

A lively, full bodied wine with fresh vibrant flavours of creamy apple and lemon. The wine has a lovely texture with a long finish with enough acid to keep it really fresh and vibrant.

Food suggestions

The den Chenin blanc is delicious on its own. The wine has tons of flavours and poise and is a versatile partner for many different dishes.

The vineyard

Chenin Blanc is harvested from a number of blocks on Leeuwenkuil and Langvlei farms which border Agter Paarl/ Swartland, irrigated and dry farmed vines of 20 to 40 years old.

Winemaking

This wine was made from ripe grapes picked to deliver a rich flavour and texture. A portion of the wine was treated in a conventional manner, with about 30% being fermented with French oak staves at 15 Celsius until about 10 balling and then cooled down to 6 degrees ( to bring a Loire winter to the wine)  where it continued to slowly ferment for a further 2 months building glycerol and texture in the wine. The cooling is then turned off bringing spring to the wine, and allowing a further period of slow fermentation.

Ageing potential

This wine should be drunk within 3-4 years of the vintage.