THE FOUNDRY Geographica Bonsai Chenin Blanc 2022

From an old Chenin vineyard planted on the Helderberg, planted in 1957 on decomposed granite with clay subsoil. These bushvines yield tiny bunches with very small grapes, inspiring the name “Bonsai” Chenin Blanc.

Hand harvested and cooled overnight, this was whole-bunch pressed very gently directly to seasoned French Oak barrels and terracotta eggs and doliums. The fermentation started spontaneously and at 15 degrees balling a neutral yeast was introduced to complete the fermentation. Elevage for 10 months on lees before racking and bottling.

The Geographica Chenin Blanc 2022 show a luminous pale lemon hue with a hint of green. On the nose the wine displays an intense stone fruit, quince, ginger, yellow apple and stony minerality. Constantly evolving in the glass, the wine takes on savoury saline aroma, subtle nuttiness, and gunflint. The palate is almost overwhelmingly intense and rich, balanced by an energetic acidity and dense fruit weight. There is a pithy phenolic mid palate giving volume and structure and the wine finishes pleasingly long.

4,5 Star Platters Wine Guide, 94Pkt.