Stellenrust Chenin Blanc Trio
Stellenrust Chenin Blanc Trio - Chenin Blanc, the Cinderella grape, has taken Stellenrust on an extraordinary journey of discovery. Today she is truly the belle of the ball and deserves every honor bestowed upon her. South Africa is widely recognized for its range of styles of Chenin Blanc. Stellenrust has won the International Trophy for the Best Chenin Blanc in the World at the International Wine & Spirit Competition for two consecutive years. This three-bottle gift set demonstrates the diversity of this Cinderella grape and is a showcase of the multiplicity of styles of Chenin Blanc produced from the same juice, treated differently in the cellar. Crafting three separate wines, using the same parcel of vines and a single tranche of grape juice, is the epitome of Chenin Blanc’s diversity, so contextualizing and naming each of the trio accordingly is apt.
Chenin Blanc – it is her variety we celebrate! Salute
Naked Truth Chenin Blanc
An expression of Chenin Blanc’s sincerity, untouched by any winemaking intervention. The juice is not sulfured and is allowed to pick up oxygen, producing more of the yellow stone fruit the grape variety is so well known for. The nose is distinct from canned pineapple and supported by more yellow aromas with oxidative notes. No residual sugar or wood was added and the wine finished wild yeast fermentation in tank Chenin Blanc as naked and unadorned as it can be.100% Chenin. Wine untouched by man. Grapes handled oxidatively, 6-hour skin contact, wild ferment in the tank, 7 months in tank on fermentation lees. NO WOOD, NO SUGAR. The first wine of 3 shows Chenin’s versatility and diversity harvested from the same block on the same day but following 3 different routes in the winery. Untouched by the winemaker.
Secrets & Lies Chenin Blanc
Barrel Fermented, this Chenin Blanc showcases the normal treatment of partial reductive handling of juice in the winery with fermentation happening with wild yeast in two and three-year-old French oak barrels. The oak influence is minimal and supports, by means of a vanilla backdrop, the rich tropical flavors Chenin can produce. A tinge of botrytis adds a touch of sun-kissed ripeness to a dry wine. 100% Chenin. 20% fermented in new French oak barrels. 80% stainless steel. Grapes are treated a bit more reductively than Naked Truth. Wild ferment in tank and barrel, 7 months on fermentation lees before blending. 3% botrytis fruit from the same vineyard. The traditional way of making Chenin and part of the house style. A little bit of residual and a little bit of wood come into play. Winemakers stand hand in hand with nature.
Indecent Obsession Chenin Blanc
A reflection of the winemaker’s obsessive desire to create big, bold, and opulent wines from Chenin Blanc. The grapes are carefully transferred with the juice finishing fermentation in newer French oak barrels. Furthermore, a larger portion of botrytis grapes is blended into the equation, boosting the residual sugar to a rich and ripe level and delivering unctuous candy floss, peach, and apricot flavor with a lingering aftertaste. 100% Chenin, 100% barrel fermented, 100% new oak, wild ferment, 7 months in barrel on fermentation lees. When the winemaker takes over and drives his own passion for making big bold wines of Chenin with 7% botrytis fruit and 100% new wood.