THE BERNARD SERIES OLD VINE CHENIN BLANC by Bellingham 2021

The wine is varietal expressive and defined by its bright fruit expression and rich, full palate. On the nose the wine presents a fruit mélange of peaches and apricots, pineapple, honeysuckle, and orange citrus that follows through to spicy apple and lime notes. On the palate the wine is very seductive with its Chenin Blanc purity, and seamless integration, that leaves one with a rich mouth-watering finish, filled with coated creamy fruit sweetness and spice, as is indicative of its old bush vine origins.

Winemaker Richard Duckitt talks Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc

The grapes for this celebrated wine are from 3 exceptional Chenin Blanc vineyards planted in 1971, 1982 and 1983. The vineyard in the cool climate appellation of Cape Town forms the major component of the blend, while the remaining two vineyards are situated in the acclaimed Bottelary hills in Stellenbosch. These low yielding vines are grown in predominantly weathered granite soils and shaped by the ocean breezes from nearby Table and False Bay. The sires are especially known to produce powerful wines of exceptional concentration, acidity and balance.

Predominately consists of weathered granite.

The 2021 vintage was very late – long, slow and steady ripening ensured top class quality this year. The season was cooler than normal, and the vines really took their time to ripen the grapes. Harvesting took place 2 to 3 weeks later, and allowed for a longer “hang time” with optimal conditions for ripening of the grapes. This resulted in exceptional flavour development in the grapes, with freshness, balance and length.

The cool climate Cape Town vineyards were hand harvested twice at different ripeness levels to add complexity to the fruit expression. The Stellenbosch vineyards were lightly pressed and gently settled, which allowed the juice to be fermented with higher NTU content, producing a powerful and intense palate. The Old Vine Chenin Blanc is handled with minimal intervention and undergoes natural fermentation in 30% Foudre, 8% Terracotta amphora and concrete with the remainder 62% divided between 1st and 2nd fill small French Oak barrels.