2019 Gabriëlskloof -- Chenin Blanc -- Western Cape, South Africa

2019 Gabriëlskloof -- Chenin Blanc -- Western Cape, South Africa

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The Bot River subzone of Walker Bay, South Africa, with a latitude equivalent to Santa Barbara County’s own Lompoc, with an Antarctic current, called the Benguela, similar to our Humboldt, and with an east-west valley orientation, is a much cooler climate than a casual glance at a map might suggest. Chenin Blanc has historically been the dominant white wine grape in South Africa, but Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc have steadily closed the gap in recent years. Though the history of wine growing goes back more than 300 years in South Africa, (the dessert wines of Constantia achieved world wide fame in the 18th and 19th centuries) Apartheid sanctions as well as trade policy disputes in the 20th century were very destructive to the South African wine industry and wine exportation particularly. With the dismantling of the omnipotent South African co-op calle KWV, the wines of South Africa have made great strides since the election of Nelson Mandela. Founded and still owned by the Heyns family, the estate is certified sustainable as well as certified for fair labor practices, and they believe in minimal intervention wine-making: native yeast fermentations, and minimal use of new French oak. A little less acidic than Loire Valley Chenin Blanc due to the soils in South Africa, but Chenin Blanc is such a high acid grape that this wine would now merely qualify as crisp instead of ripping. The classic flavors of the grape, apple (with the core), pear, just ripe honeydew, and a touch of apricot are all here along with a ferrous edge coming from the iron rich red soils. Would make an excellent accompaniment to spicy Asian foods.