McFarlane Wines, Monday’s Child 2023
Alexandra McFarlane, winemaker and proprietor of McFarlane Wines, is incredibly passionate about South African ‘heritage’ varietals (working exclusively with Chenin Blanc, Pinotage, Cinsault and Semillon) and the role that they have played in sculpting the evolution of the SA wine industry.
She handles the grapes as gently as possible in the winery in order to produce wines that are elegant, honest and undeniably moreish. She picks with freshness in mind, resulting in wines that are comparatively low abv, but maintains complexity through phenolic ripeness and extended lees contact.
Grapes are sourced from two of Stellenbosch’s premier Chenin wards – Bottelary Hills and Polkadraai Hills. The grapes were whole bunch pressed and allowed to settle naturally before the wine was racked to old French oak barrels for fermentation. The wine spent 6 months on the gross lees with regular ‘battonage’ and underwent full malolactic fermentation.
Quince and stone fruit presents on the nose, alongside hints of spice and blossom. Fleshy yellow fruit and spice follow through on the palate and are accompanied by a bright acidity.
£29.80
Stellenbosch
Chenin Blanc
Bone-drySweet
Description
VARIETAL
100% Chenin blanc
TECHNICAL ANALYSIS
Alc: 13.17% | pH: 3.3 | TA: 6.1g/l | FSO2: 36ppm | TSO2: 99ppm | RS: 1.2g/l
ORIGIN
Stellenbosch
HARVEST & VINEYARD
This special Chenin blanc comes from two old vine blocks in Stellenbosch. The smallest portion comes from the Bankrotsteen block on Karibib farm in the Polkadraai region. This block is planted on decomposed granite and experiences great influence from the False Bay ocean nearby. The biggest portion of fruit that goes into this wine comes from Geluksoord closer to the Bottelary subregion. This old block of bushvines is more North-East facing on koffie-klip and red clay. We harvest the fruit in both blocks between 21.5 Brix and 22.5 Brix. The fruit is transported to the cellar and spends overnight in the chiller before processing.
WINEMAKING
Both batches were whole bunch pressed to a stainless steel tank for light settling overnight. From here the juice was racked to large old French oak barrel where natural fermentation was allowed to start on its own. Once the wine was dry it was stirred on the gross lees for 6 months. The wine went through full malolactic fermentation. Just before bottling it was racked, sulphured up and protein stabilised. The wine was gently filtered before bottling.
TASTING NOTES
This wine shows poached quince and fresh apricots on the nose with some delicate florals and clove spice. The palate has fleshy yellow fruit and a savoury spice following through from the nose. There is great freshness of fruit and acidity that carries the wine and ensures great ageing potential. The tangy fruit and delicate spice on the palate keeps the wine bright and moreish. Enjoy this with a gently spiced chickpea stew with coconut milk, ginger and garlic.
Additional information
| Alcohol vol | 13.2% |
|---|---|
| Grape | Chenin Blanc |
| Origin | Stellenbosch |
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Wine Farm |
Enjoy this with a gently spiced chickpea stew with coconut milk, ginger and garlic.
2 reviews for McFarlane Wines, Monday’s Child 2023
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93 pts | Tim Atkin MW Special South Africa Report 2024
“Two sites in Stellenbosch – Karibib and Geluksoord – on granite and clay, respectively, supply the grapes for this low-intervention white from Alex McFarlane. Savoury, detailed and effortlessly complex, it has lots of minerality, some cream from full malolactic and flavours of lemongrass and quince. 2025-29”
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96 pts | Platter’s Wine Guide 2025
“Fresh honey, wax, chamomile & thatch on delicious 2023 vintage. Bunch pressed, wild fermented Stellenbosch parcel. A step up on the 2022 vintage with well judged structure, lively acid & optimally ripe fruit, chalky dryness encasing core of silky pear & apple.”
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