False Bay "Slow" Chenin Blanc 2022

False Bay 'Slow' Chenin Blanc is not fermented with fast-acting, or 'aroma-enhancing’ commercially selected yeast. The grapes do not take three weeks to get from vineyard to bottle. It is crafted the wild way – old vine fruit, fermented with wild yeast found naturally on the grapes…not in a packet. This magical transformation takes at least six months.

The grapes for False Bay 'Slow' Chenin Blanc stem from old bush vines in The Swartland and Stellenbosch regions. Old vines are key to making stand-out chenin.

The area's old vines produce naturally low yields and retain good acidity despite being warmer and less windswept than Stellenbosch, so cooler, coastal Atlantic winds are less of a necessity for these gnarly old vines.

Wild yeast fermentation is key to this benchmark Chenin Blanc. The long wild yeast ferment provides bready aromas and additional complexity to the wine. Dried herbaceous notes, including fennel and aniseed from the nearby fynbos, dominate the nose, followed by a creamy lemon character. The palate is reminiscent of the nose, with great textural complexity, attributable to the long, slow wild yeast fermentation.

'Slow' is a versatile wine equally well suited to partner lobster (if you're pushing the boat out) and other seafood, risotto or herb roast chicken. It can also handle spice very well thus partners perfectly with South African Bobotie.