DEMORGENZON RESERVE CHENIN BLANC 2022

TASTING NOTES

 


On the nose, the wine opens with aromas of ripe peach and apricot with a fragrant floral undertone. This is layered with subtle notes of toasted almond and a hint of vanilla. The palate is generous with the creamy texture working beautifully with the vibrant acidity. Layers of pear, honeyed citrus, and Golden Delicious apple. The oak influence is evident but impeccably integrated, offering nuances of nutmeg and a hint of flint and smokiness that adds depth and dimension to the wine. The finish is long and lingering, leaving a lasting impression of well-balanced richness and finesse.

Cellar Master:
Alastair Rimmer

Varietal blend
:
100% Chenin Blanc

Appellation
:
Stellenbosch

Alcohol content:
14.29%

TA
:
6.4 g/l

pH
:
3.50

RS:
2.2 g/l

VINEYARDS

 


DeMorgenzon’s Chenin Blanc comes from low-yielding vines planted in 1972, which were originally planted as bush vines but recently lifted onto trellises. The vines are planted in decomposed granite soils, at altitudes of 250 to 300 meters above sea level. Close proximity to False Bay ensures cooling breezes in the warm summer months.

VINTAGE

 


A mild but wet winter ensured optimal soil conditions moving into the growing season. A relatively cool spring, interspersed with some rain, led to a delayed bud break and in some isolated instances uneven flowering. Some warm weather in January helped alleviate any early season unevenness and the continued moderate weather the farm experienced meant that the harvest was progressing at an even pace and that the winery team was able to give the utmost attention to each parcel arriving at the winery.

VINIFICATION AND MATURATION

 


The grapes were picked in three different passes in order to achieve optimum ripeness and balance in the final wine. The grapes were handpicked in the early morning hours, with bunch selection done in the vineyard. Fruit was cooled down and then gently pressed, whole bunch, and the juice was settled overnight without the use of settling enzymes. Fermentation occurred naturally in French oak barrels (20% new), using indigenous yeasts, with about 20% of the volume completing malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged on its lees in barrel for 10 months, without batonage.

PREVIOUS VINTAGES

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

 


2022

  • 95 Points Tim Atkin MW’s South Africa Report 2024
  • 5 Star Platter’s Wine Guide 2024

2021

  • 95 Points Tim Atkin MW’s South Africa Report 2022

2020

  • 95 Points Tim Atkin MW’s South Africa Report 2021

2019

  • 92 Points Neal Martin Vinous Report 2021
  • Gold & Regional Trophy International Wine Challenge 2020
  • 95 Points Tim Atkin MW’s South Africa Report 2020
  • Top 10 Winner Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top Ten Challenge 2020

2018

  • Gold Medal Decanter World Wine Awards 2019

2017

  • The 50 most exciting wines of 2018 Decanter Magazine
  • 95 points Tim Atkin MW South Africa Report 2018
  • 92 points Neal Martin for Vinous
  • Platinum Decanter World Wine Awards 2018
  • Gold medal Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show 2018
  • Top 10 Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Challenge 2018

2016

  • 95 Points Tim Atkin MW’s South Africa Report 2017
  • International Chenin Blanc Trophy and Gold medal winner International Wine Challenge 2017
  • 93 points Neal Martin of Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate 2016
  • Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge 2017

2015

  • Chenin Blanc Trophy International Wine and Spirits Competition 2016
  • International Chenin Blanc Trophy and Gold medal winner International Wine Challenge 2016
  • Gold medal winner Decanter World Wine Awards 2016
  • 95 points Tim Atkin MW’s South African Report 2016
  • Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge 2016

2014

  • 95 points Christian Eedes WineMag.co.za
  • 94 points Tim Atkin MW’s South African Report 2015
  • 91 points Stephen Tanzer’s Wine Cellar
  • Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge 2015
  • Bacchus Trophy Taj Classic Wine Trophy Awards
  • International Chenin Blanc Trophy International Wine Challenge 2015