Skaliekop 2022

Originating from the limestone hills of the Swartland region, north of Cape Town, this wine primarily comes from the Skaliekop vineyard, an exposed and wind-swept site. The soils there are composed of decomposed shale and limestone-rich rocks, imparting a distinct mineral tension to the wine. The vines, cultivated using practices that respect natural balance, benefit from a Mediterranean climate tempered by the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean, which promotes slow maturation and a beautiful aromatic freshness.

Made from old Chenin Blanc vines planted on decomposed shale soils, this wine is hand-harvested, carefully sorted, then whole-bunch pressed. The must is transferred by gravity into French oak barrels of various ages, where fermentations occur spontaneously thanks to indigenous yeasts. Aging continues on fine lees, without significant bâtonnage, in neutral barrels to preserve the purity of the terroir, before a low-intervention bottling, with moderate sulfiting and no other inputs.

This wine reveals notes of ripe citrus, fresh apple and pear, complemented by delicate floral touches, a chalky mineral dimension, and subtle spicy nuances. The palate is precise, driven by a lively acidity and a chalky and saline texture, with a full mid-palate that is not heavy. The finish is long, taut, and savory, marked by a persistent citrus and a delicate saline imprint that calls for another glass.

The first grape vines were planted in South Africa by Dutch settlers in the 1650s, although wine production did not really take off until the arrival of French Protestants in the 1680s with their skills and knowledge of viticulture. Stellenbosch is also a historic wine region, with the first vineyards being planted there in the 1690s. Today, South Africa is one of the most important wine producing countries in the Southern Hemisphere. With over 300 years of winemaking history, it is often described as a bridge between the Old and New Worlds. The majority of wines are produced using New World winemaking techniques, but they often share more in common stylistically with their Old World counterparts. Since the end of apartheid, South African wine has received international attention and acclaim for its wide variety of styles. South Africa's wine industry is spread across the lush and rugged landscape of the Western Cape. Here, the abundance of mountains, valleys and plateaus allows winemakers to produce a wide variety of styles. Vineyards are also found in the Orange River region of the Northern Cape, where the flat, arid landscape is dominated by the Kalahari Desert. Most of South Africa's wine regions have a Mediterranean climate, heavily influenced by the meeting of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The country's signature grape variety is Pinotage, an indigenous cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsault that is rarely found in quantity in other wine-producing countries. Shiraz (Syrah) is also widely planted, as are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (often combined in a Bordeaux blend). South African Chardonnay, Chenin and Sauvignon Blanc have become popular internationally in recent years.