BELLINGHAM Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin blanc 2022

On the palate the wine is very seductive with its Chenin Blanc purity and seamless integration. Lavish notes of concentrated fruit core and citrus marmalade gives way to a rich yet elegant coasted mouthfeel, that leaves one with a seamless mouth-watering complex finish, indicative of its old bush vine origins planted between 1971 and 1983.

Welcome to Bellingham

The grapes for this celebrated wine are from 3 exceptional Chenin Blanc vineyards planted in 1971, 1982, 1983. The vineyard in the cool climate appellation of Cape Town forms the major component of the blend, while the remaining tow vineyards are situated in the acclaimed Bottelary hills in Stellenbosch. The low yielding vines are grown in predominantly weathered granite soils and shaped by the ocean breezes from nearby Table and False Bay. The sites are especially known to produce powerful wines of exceptional concentration, acidity and balance.

When it comes to old vine wines, the vineyards should make the wines and not the winemaker - this approach followed by the winemaker is therefore as natural and "non intrusive" as possible, and allows the Terroir to express itself naturally without interference. Harvesting of these old vines takes place in two phases, the first or earlier harvested component is destined as the "fruit or nose" component, and is fermented naturally in Foudre, concrete tanks and amphorae.

The later or riper harvested component ferments naturally in 300L barrels of which 30% is new barrels and contributes to the overall structure and palate of the wines. After fermentation the barrels are Batonnaged monthly for around 10 months. After which the components are blended and bottled.