Vineyards
Hemelrand is situated on the cold and windy Hemel & Aarde Ridge at 360 meters above sea level, on gravelly clay, and Sandstone. The vineyard was planted in 2010 to Chardonnay, Roussanne, Verdelho, Chenin blanc, and Muscat Blanc a etit grain. However, as mentioned the proportions of the different grapes produced significantly varies each vintage. Viticulturally speaking this is a marginal site, the upside of which is slow ripening with high natural acidity.
Technical Details
Varieties:
42% Roussanne, 22% Chardonnay, 16% Chenin, 16% Verdelho, 4% Muscat
42% Roussanne, 22% Chardonnay, 16% Chenin, 16% Verdelho, 4% Muscat
| Wine of origin | Hemel & Aarde Ridge (Estate Wine) |
|---|---|
| Production | 7230 bottles |
| Bottling | Jun 1 2020 |
| Alcohol | 13.91% |
|---|---|
| RS | 2.9 g/litre |
| TA | 6.4 g/litre |
| PH | 3.21 |
Vine Garden aptly describes both the attention to detail in small scale viticulture on Hemelrand as well as the handful of grape varieties represented in the vineyard.
Winemaking and Maturation
We picked and pressed each variety separately this vintage. The grapes were picked early in the morning, sorting in the vineyard, 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 took place in old barrels of various sizes. Fermentation lasted for about two months, except for the Roussanne which fermented for about 9 months as usual. The wine was kept on lees for around 12 months, then rested in tank on fine lees without fining for a further six months prior to bottling. Very simple, careful winemaking.
Tasting Notes
As always this is quite an extreme wine with lots of flavour and some richness, cut by driving acidity. The nose is so complex and interesting: stone fruit and citrus with an exotic accent. The palate is also marvellously complex. This site has really come of age. We will be changing to a black capsule from now on to signify this.
