Oldenburg Chenin Blanc 2021

Oldenburg Chenin Blanc 2021

Oldenburg Vineyards is situated in the coo part of the Stellenbosch Wine Appellation in the Banghoek Valley. Here, Nic van Aarde the Estate’s Winemaker, is producing some truly sublime wines – like this oak fermented and matured Chenin Blanc from the 2021 Vintage.

Nic van Aarde Oldenburg Winemaker

At Oldenburg Vineyards they believe that great wines can only come from the best quality grapes. Intervention in the vineyards is minimal to reflect the full potential of the mountainous terroir. The Oldenburg Vineyards Series is a true expression of terroir through the Estate’s range of single cultivar wines.

Chenin Blanc Grapes in the hands of the harvester

The grapes were picked by hand from a 15-year-old single vineyard on alluvial soils at 320m above sea level. Bunches were sorted by hand and whole bunch pressed in a pneumatic press on a gentle Champagne cycle. The juice was settled overnight and then racked to previous fill 300L French oak barrels, and two 500L Austrian Oak Foudre for spontaneous fermentation and maturation. Spontaneous fermentation was completed within 2 to 3 months. Partial malolactic conversion was allowed on some of the batches. The wine was gently fined and filtered before bottling.

Oldenburg Barrel Cellar

Pour

From a Burgundy shaped bottle, closed with an elegant premium screw cap. In the glass, the wine is a pale lemony straw. The aromas are gentle and elegant, Granny Smith Apples, fynbos herbs and sweet tropical limes. On entry there is a delicious acidity line which runs through well into the aftertaste. You will find crunchy roadside fennel in undertow and a perfect support from the oak with its concomitant spice and vanilla. There is perfect balance and harmony with all the elements a perfect mélange. An impressive glass. The wine will improve and reward after a couple of years of cool cellaring.

Carey Boucher – Erasmus

Pair

The Oldenburg Chenin Blanc 2021 is a serious sipping wine. However, it is made for food and is a perfect foil for a rich buttery roasted organic chicken with real gravy, rustly roast potatoes and other suitable accompaniments. We chose Carey Boucher – Erasmus’s The Best Caesar Salad. Click HERE for her recipe.

Carey Boucher – Erasmus