Skaliekop, Chenin Blanc, Swartland, 2021
The Skaliekop (Shale-Hill) vines were planted in 1985 in very shallow shale soils in the Paardeberg, an anomaly in this granite-rich region. A small tractor road divides the Plat’bos and Skaliekop vineyards. Skaliekop was harvested mid-February in two tranches. The wines of the different pickings were aged separately, before blending and then bottling at the end of the year. Sparkling, clear-cut zippy citrus fruits and white fruits, the 2022 has an impactful feel with a firm stony edge. Wonderfully pure and mineral, it should age with style. Old Vine Project certified. 2,500bts 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.