Chenin Blanc Granietsen 2023

Located on the west coast of the Cape, the vineyards for Scions of Sinai's Chenin Blanc Granietsen cuvée come from old vines rooted in the decomposed granite soils of Stellenbosch, within South Africa's Coastal Region. These plots, close to the Atlantic Ocean, benefit from refreshing sea breezes that temper the summer heat and extend the ripening period. The rolling terrain, the orientation of the slopes, and the stony nature of the soils contribute to a precise, taut, and profoundly mineral expression of Chenin Blanc in this renowned coastal terroir.

The Chenin Blanc grapes are hand-harvested from old vines on granite soil. The whole bunches are pressed and then fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeasts. Fermentation and aging take place in large, old oak barrels, on fine lees, without significant stirring, to preserve the purity of the fruit and the mineral expression of the terroir. The wine is aged for several months before bottling without heavy filtration and with minimal added sulfur.

This wine reveals notes of ripe apple , juicy pear , and citrus , complemented by floral touches of white blossom and linden , as well as subtle spicy nuances of ginger and a pronounced minerality . The palate is full-bodied yet taut, driven by a vibrant acidity that lengthens the tasting experience, while the long, mouthwatering finish leaves an impression of purity and lingering freshness .

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.