Damascene Vineyards

Chenin Blanc 'Stellenbosch - Old Bush Vines'

Chenin Blanc 'Stellenbosch - Old Bush Vines'

Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch Old Bush Vines Damascene
  • 100% Chenin Blanc
  • Sourced from 3 hilltop sites in Bottelary ward: Sonop, Houmoed, and Mooiplaas
  • Sonop block was planted in 1982 on shale situated NE extreme of the mountain range
  • Houmoed block was planted in 1972 on Greywacke soils situated on extremely steep North facing slopes
  • The Mooiplaas block was planted in 1980 on a granitic outcrop overlooking False Bay and Table Bay
  • Hand harvested
  • Whole clusters were sorted and pressed with a delicate champagne-cycle
  • Each block was fermented separately with indigenous yeast and matured separately
  • A small portion was fermented on the skins
  • Roughly 30% of the way through fermentation, the grape must was transferred to 1000L oval-shaped Austrian oak foudres, followed by 11 months of sur lie maturation
  • No battonage

Info

Producer:
Damascene Vineyards
Vintage:
2022
Country:
South Africa
Region:
Stellenbosch
Appellation:
Stellenbosch
Variety:
Chenin Blanc
Color:
White
Farming Practice:
Sustainable

Sizes Available

Full Bottle ZA-DAM-11-22 6/750ml

Resources

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Press & Reviews

James Suckling
Score
93
Date
2023-11-06
"Hints of gunflint and crushed hazelnuts to go with golden apples, mango stones and cedar, with grapefruit and lemon peel notes, too. It,s compact, creamy and intense, full-bodied, with delicious spice and nut complexity. Drink or hold."
Jancis Robinson
Score
16+
Date
2024-10-03
"Actual score is 16++"
Vinous
Score
94
Date
2023-11-02
"The 2022 Chenin Blanc from Stellenbosch comes from vines on Greywacke, shale and granite soils planted between 1972 and 1981, whole cluster pressed and aged in oval Austrianÿfoudres. This has a little more presence on the nose and is more outgoing with yellow plum, nectarine, peach skin and hints of red fruit. There is real complexity, becoming ever more minerally with aeration. The palate is very well-balanced with a little more viscosity and lees expression, lightly spiced with a vivacious saline finish. There is a sense of completeness here. Superb."