Vineyards
As a rule, the Cartology parcels are dry farmed bushvines, with a minimum age of thirty-five years, although most are between forty and fifty years old. Average yields for these parcels is around 3 tons/Ha or around 20hl/Ha.
Cartology 2021 is 90% Chenin blanc and 10% Sémillon. The Chenin comes from our parcels in the Skurfberg, Malmesbury, Perdeberg, Bottelary, Upper Blaauwklippen, False Bay and Tygerberg. The Sémillon comes from the old La Colline block in Franschhoek.
Technical Details
Varieties:
90% Chenin Blanc, 10% Sémillon
90% Chenin Blanc, 10% Sémillon
| Wine of origin | Western Cape |
|---|---|
| Production | 26 296 bottles |
| Bottling | May 17 2022 |
| Alcohol | 13.11% |
|---|---|
| RS | 1.46 g/litre |
| TA | 5.63 g/litre |
| PH | 3.35 |
Cartology means the study of maps or charts. It could not be more perfect name for this wine. Not only because of our endeavours to search for and find these special old vineyards, but also because the wine itself can be seen as a vinous map or tapestry of the Cape.
Winemaking and Maturation
The grapes were hand sorted and whole bunch pressed. The juice was very lightly settled (we like very cloudy raw juice) with no additions to the raw juice, wild fermentation in either cement eggs, clay pots, foudres, or old barrels (various sizes). Fermentation can last anywhere between 3 weeks and 11 months. The wine is kept on lees for around twelve months, then rested in tank on fine lees without fining for a further six months prior to bottling. Very simple, careful winemaking.
Tasting Notes
The nose is detailed and beautiful – ripe pear and sweet herbs, both citrus juice and rind. The palate is very pure and true, fine boned clarity, lovely proportions, no extra weight (unlike myself). This vintage shows good intensity and saline length. For me, the key word for this vintage is purity. This wine is already drinking well in its youth, but will reward maturation.
