Bellingham The Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2009

Pale gold with tints of green paints the picture of this romantic wine. The extraordinary colour is however just a preview to the bold layers of tropical fruit and melon lavours that rest comfortably and refreshingly on the nose and palate. The subtle sweetness of honey suckle combines artfully with the distinctive fruitiness, while vanilla oak spices exempts this wine from others. The Old Vine Chenin Blanc is a layered, complex wine that promises a lingering aftertaste.


variety : Chenin Blanc [ 100% Chenin Blanc ]
winery : Bellingham Wines
winemaker : Niel Groenewald, Mario Damon
wine of origin : 
analysis : alc : 13.75 % vol  rs : 5.5 g/l  pH : 3.3  ta : 6.46 g/l  
type : White  style : Dry  body : Full  taste : Fruity   wooded
pack : Bottle  size : 0  closure : Cork  

To his friends and family he was 'Pod', but to the Cape Winelands he was Bernard Podlashuk, the maverick winemaker. Never quite satisfied to be just ordinary, he is recognised for his daring vision, sheer audacity and unabated drive that helped place South African wine on the map. The legend of Bernard's tenacity and innovative lair lives on through The Bernard Series, Bellingham's premium range of extraordinary wines.

in the vineyard : The grapes used to make this wine come from four exceptional Chenin Blanc vineyards. These vines are all low-yielding (5 - 6 tons per hectare) bush vines with an average age of 40 years. Vines grow in weathered granite soils with open canopies for maximum penetration of sunlight.

about the harvest: Grapes were hand-picked at 24° B.

in the cellar : Grapes were hand-picked at 24° B with partial whole bunch pressing followed by single lot fermentation. The wine was matured in French oak barrels for a period of 12 months of which 50% was new French oak and 50% second fill barrels.

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OTHER VINTAGES

Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc