Brookdale Old Vine Chenin Blanc

From old vine Chenin Blanc grown on decomposed shale and granite; minimal winemaking was employed to allow this stony terroir to shine through. The grapes were hand-picked at different stages to achieve optimal ripeness and balance. The fruit was pre-cooled and gently whole- bunch pressed before spontaneous fermentation and partial malolactic fermentation to add elegance and complexity. Matured for eleven months in 500L French oak barrels, the wine was then aged on the lees for eleven months in 2000L foudres. Once bottled, the wine was then left to mature for a further four months before release.

Subtle and restrained aromatics of pear skin, honeycomb and golden citrus. Just a hint of pastry cream and toast. The palate is deep, dense and concentrated. Fleshy and generous, tempered by a stony acidity sewn through the layers and layers of flavour. Yellow apples, kumquat and peaches sing. The chalky texture is the background music, giving ballast to all those curves. The savoury finish calls in the wax of the nose, the echo of the radiant fruit.

Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Klein Drakenstein Mountains in Paarl, Brookdale Estate produces wines as unexpected as they are enchanting. A true Cinderella story, Brookdale was once overgrown until the Rudd family recognised the potential and acquired the 67-hectare estate in 2015. Their vision was to produce fine, world-class wines, including interesting blends crafted from varietals that are somewhat ‘unusual’ in South Africa. These Mediterranean varietals, the distinctive Paarl terroir and creative winemaking techniques come together under the visionary hand of Tim Rudd and talented young winemaker Kiara Scott.