Metzer, Maritime Chenin Blanc 2020
The guiding principle for Wade Metzer’s winemaking philosophy is that winemaking must always respect the fruit. To achieve this he uses non-interventionist principles; no mechanical interventions, indigenous yeasts and no fining or filtration. Many of his wines are Old Vine Certified, including this Chenin.
This wine is one of Wade Metzer’s two single site, Old VIne Chenin Blancs – this one was planted in 1980 and is situated only 4 km’s away from False Bay. While both are vinified identically, the wines are stylistically different, which really highlights the sense of place of each site.
In order to preserve fruit integrity, the grapes were picked in the early hours of the morning. After pressing and a brief period of skin contact, the juice was transferred to a tank and allowed to settle overnight (without the use of settling enzymes). The settled wine was transferred to old oak barrels, in which fermentation occurred. 9 months of barrel ageing, on the lees without stirring, followed before bottling (after a coarse filtration).
This wine radiates pear, white peach and lemon. Bright stone fruit follows through on the palate which is marked by a rich texture and a thrilling line of acidity. The wine has a persistent finish showing subtle hints of white spice and orange blossom.
£30.55
Stellenbosch
Chenin Blanc
Bone-drySweet
Description
VARIETAL:
100% Chenin blanc. A single-vineyard wine from a bush vine parcel planted in 1980. The vineyard is situated a mere 4 km’s from the shores of False Bay.
VINIFICATION:
This Chenin Blanc has been fermented and aged as naturally as possible, without intervention and in search of an authentic reflection of its origin.
The grapes were handpicked in the early morning hours to preserve fruit integrity. The fruit was then gently pressed after a brief period of skin contact. The juice was settled overnight without the use of settling enzymes and from here it was fed directly to French oak barrels (all seasoned oak) where fermentation occurred spontaneously. The wine was aged on its lees in barrel for 9 months, with no battonage. The wine was bottled after a coarse filtration in November 2020.
TASTING NOTES:
The vineyard’s pure fruit quality radiates pear, white peach and lemon. Bright stone fruit follows through on the palate which is marked by a rich texture and a thrilling line of acidity. The wine has a persistent finish showing subtle hints of white spice and orange blossom.
AGEING POTENTIAL:
The wine delivers immediate drinking pleasure but will gain in complexity with further cellaring.
Optimum drinking : 2022 – 2027 (8° C).
ANALYSIS:
Alcohol: 13.4%
T/A: 5.2 g/l
pH: 3.38
R/S: 1.6 g/l
Sulphites: 74 mg/l
Additional information
| Alcohol vol | 13.4% |
|---|---|
| Grape | Chenin Blanc |
| Origin | Stellenbosch |
| Vintage | 2020 |
| Wine Farm |
The slight saline and mineral notes in the wine make it a beautiful match with fresh oysters.
3 reviews for Metzer, Maritime Chenin Blanc 2020
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94 points | Christian Eedes for Winemag.co.za on 25 October 2022
“Grapes from a 1980 vineyard situated close to False Bay. Matured for nine months in older oak. Lime, lemon and apple plus some yeasty, waxy complexity. Rich but balanced thanks to a good line of acidity – very flavourful, the finish deeply savoury.”
Christian Eedes for Winemag.co.za –
95 points | Tim Atkin MW Special South Africa Report 2021
“Forty-year-old dryland vines on decomposed granite soils close to False Bay supply the grapes for this leesy, tangy, salt-kissed Chenin Blanc. Rich, focused and well balanced with citrus and passion fruit flavours, lots of extract and a long, bone dry finish framed by older oak. 2022-28”
Tim Atkin MW Special South Africa Report 2021 –
93 points | Platter’s Wine Guide 2022
“Subtlety & elegance hallmarks of 2020, the gentle, light feel & freshness, contrasted by depth of fruit from 40 year old bushvines close to False Bay. The graceful apple & earthy flavours grow to an expansive, fantail conclusion.”
Platter’s Wine Guide 2022 –