Skaliekop, Chenin Blanc, Swartland, 2021
These vines were planted in 1985 in very shallow shale soils in the Paardeberg, being an anomaly as the mountain is granite driven. “These soils prove why our region is known for wheat farms as it remains a difficult soil for vineyards in a warm region, dryland-farming context.” A small tractor road divides the Plat’bos and Skaliekop vineyards. Skaliekop was harvested mid/end February over three picking dates. The wines of the different pickings were aged separately, before blending and then bottling at the end of the year. A more citrus-driven style, so linear and mineral, buzzing with lime-leaf, apples, and lemony freshness, this is an absolutely delicious, mouthwatering Chenin Blanc. 2,200bts were produced.
critic reviews
Brighter and more generous on the nose, the 2021 Skaliekop Chenin Blanc offers focused and expressive aromatic dusty citrus tones with firm florals. Medium to full-bodied, the wine unfolds on the palate to reveal its impressive weight and texture before offering up flavors of lemon pastry cream with hints of petrichor. The wine concludes with a long-lingering, balanced and expressive finish that brings me back for more.
The 2021 Chenin Blanc Skaliekop comes from vines planted on shale soils in Paardeberg in 1985 and was picked over three times, each aged separately. This has an appealing bouquet with orange blossom, dried honey, chamomile and light spicy aromas - very complex. The palate is very well balanced with a lovely texture and fine acidity; the Skaliekop is a little softer and more caressing on the finish than the Rondevlei, stem ginger tingling on the aftertaste. Very fine.