Damascene Swartland Chenin Blanc 2023 750ml

Damascene’s focus on using flavors and aromas to evoke special places is evident in this Swartland Chenin Blanc. The wine opens with a touch of Swartland sunshine, expressed through notes of spiced peach cobbler, fynbos, Seville orange, and pineapple. On the palate, a delightful blend of mandarin and nectarine is tempered by hints of cardamom spice. The wine’s exceptional acidity is characterized by vibrant citrus juiciness. The forward fruit elements are balanced by a smart, bitter snap of white grapefruit and a puff of white pepper spice, creating a fascinating finish.

Given the size of the Swartland appellation, Chenin Blanc expressions can vary widely. This wine focuses solely on the beauty of granite-grown Chenin Blanc from two Paardeberg sites, both approximately 37 kilometers from the West Coast. The first site, located on a hilltop on the northwestern extreme of the Paardeberg, was planted in two phases: 1971 and 1979. These decomposed granite outcrops, forced to the surface by dolomite extrusions, contribute to the wine’s tension and acidic grip. The second vineyard, Jakkalsfontein, established in 1983 on a north-facing slope, features old bush vines planted on stony decomposed granite with a water-retentive clay layer beneath.

Hand-harvested grapes were chilled overnight at 8˚C. In the cellar, whole clusters were sorted and pressed with a delicate champagne-cycle, followed by overnight settling. The juice was transferred to 1000-liter oval Austrian oak foudres for fermentation.

Lighter, more fluid lees elements were retained in the juice during fermentation, increasing turbidity levels. Enzymes were not added during pressing, and minimal sulfur was used throughout vinification. Only native yeasts were involved, and most batches received sulfur for the first time just before bottling in January.

To preserve the wine’s exceptional natural acidity, malolactic conversion and batonnage were avoided. The final wine was matured “sur lie” for 11 months in 1000-liter oval Austrian oak vats at 6-8˚C.