2023 Wolf & Woman Chenin Blanc
2023 Wolf & Woman Chenin Blanc

2023 Wolf & Woman Chenin Blanc

96 pts
Wolf & Woman |Swartland |Chenin Blanc
Jolandie Fouché’s passion for old-vine Swartland Chenin shines through in this beautifully crafted, minimal-intervention wine that reflects both place and producer.
Price:
$39.00
Stock:
Sold out
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Description

Here we have a brilliant new discovery for the Chrnin Blanc lovers out there!

Jolandie Fouché doesn’t mess around when it comes to Chenin. She only works with old, dry-farmed vines—nothing younger than 35 years—and lets the vineyards do the talking. This one’s a blend of fruit from four Swartland sites: three on the granite-rich slopes of the Paardeberg, bringing freshness and drive, and one in Malmesbury’s iron-rich soils, adding a bit more weight and texture.

The grapes are picked early in the morning, left to chill for 24 hours, then whole-bunch pressed and fermented naturally. Aged on lees in old oak for 10 months, it’s got just the right balance of bright citrus, subtle florals, and a savoury, mineral edge that keeps it all in check.

It’s the kind of Chenin that feels effortless—pure, expressive, and packed with personality. Drink it now for its energy, or give it a few years to see it evolve. Either way, it’s a cracking match for seafood, roast chicken, or just an afternoon in good company.

96 points
"Poised, refreshing, focused and self-confident, it has lovely granitic intensity, aromas of oatmeal and hay and a palate of salted lemons and beeswax. Impressive stuff. 2024-32."
- Tim Atkin MW (2024 South African Wine Report)

96 points
"Pear, white peach, soft citrus, some yeasty complexity and a hint of reduction on the nose. Great fruit concentration, driving acidity and a pithy finish. A wine of both presence and poise."
- Christian Eedes (Winemag.co.za)

96 points - "Jolandie Fouché uses grapes from four parcels - one in Malmesbury and three on the Paardeberg - to produce this stunning Chenin Blanc. Poised, refreshing, focused and self-confident, it has lovely granitic intensity, aromas of oatmeal and hay and a palate of salted lemons and beeswax. Impressive stuff. 2024-32." - Tim Atkin MW (2024 South African Wine Report)

96 points - "Grapes from four Swartland vineyards, planting dates ranging from 1968 to 1981. 70% from Paardeberg vineyards on granite, 30% from vineyards north-west of Malmesbury on iron-rich clay soils. Matured for 10 months in older 300- and 500-litre barrels. Pear, white peach, soft citrus, some yeasty complexity and a hint of reduction on the nose. Great fruit concentration, driving acidity and a pithy finish. A wine of both presence and poise." - Christian Eedes (Winemag.co.za)

WOLF & WOMAN Chenin Blanc is a blend of grapes from four different vineyards. Three thereof are located in the Paardeberg region, situated in decomposed granite soils, and were planted in 1980, 1971 and 1968, respectively. The fourth vineyard is situated north of Malmesbury in red iron-rich soils and was planted in 1981. All of the vineyards consist exclusively of dryland bush vines.
All of the grapes were picked early in the morning, packed in crates and spent 24 hours in a cold room. The following day the grapes were whole bunch pressed, and the juices left to settle overnight. No enzymes were used during the settling process. After 24 hours, the juice was transferred to a combination of 300L and 500L old oak barrels. Natural fermentation was allowed to occur, followed by malolactic fermentation. The wine matured for 10 months on the lees before blending and bottling.

The final blend consists of 70% decomposed granite soils and 30 % from red iron-rich soils. The decomposed granite components of the wine are linear, mineral and tight, falling within the white fruit spectrum, adding texture, freshness and drive. The iron-derived influences, on the other hand, impart beautiful yellow-fruit spectrum aromatics, and opulence.

Colour: Pale straw
Nose: Floral, citrus, lime, stone fruit
Palate: Fruit density, textured, and balanced acidity
Composition: 100% Chenin Blanc
Origin: Swartland
Vineyard: Blend of four dryland bush vine vineyards grown in decomposed granite and iron-rich soils
Vine Age: 55, 52, 43 & 42 years old
Yield: Average 4 tons/ha
Total Production: 6,100 bottles

Price Bracket $31 to $40
Type White
Body Medium Bodied
Variety Chenin Blanc
Country South Africa
Region Swartland
Feature Women in Wine
Critic Score 96
Alcohol 13%
Size 750ml
Vintage 2023
Closure Cork

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