Alheit Vineyards 2019 Chenin Blanc "Broom Ridge" , South Africa

“Situated on a high ridge in the heart of the Paardeberg, Broom Ridge is home to 20 ha of mature, dry-farmed bushvine Chenin Blanc. The soil is pure, decomposed granite, yielding wines of clarity and focus. The vineyards were planted between 1972–1985 on various slopes, some facing East, some West, some North. This gives a palette of options to work with to make the best possible wine each vintage. These are extraordinary vines with deep roots that grab the life out of the granite.
The grapes were hand sorted and whole bunch pressed. The juice was very lightly settled (a cloudy raw juice) with no additions. Wild fermentation took place in cement eggs and old barrels of various sizes. Fermentation lasted for about one month. 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.
Like its predecessor Fire by Night, Broom Ridge is the tightest, most restrained of Alhet’s Chenin bottlings, usually taking a couple of years to show its potential. It is coiled up now, bristling with lime and thatch, elderflower, and sweet herbs. The palate is racy and pure, slightly pithy and saline.”- Producers notes