Swartland AA. Badenhorst Family Wines Glensloos Chenin 2023

Glensloos comes from old Chenin Blanc vines planted high up on the slopes of the Paardeberg, on soils of decomposed granite, sometimes with some sand and loam. This terroir, which is not very fertile but is excellent for vine growing, naturally limits yields while encouraging concentration and elegance. The granite gives the wine its precision, tension and salinity, perfectly balancing the sunny ripeness typical of Swartland. The grapes are picked by hand early in the day to preserve their freshness. The fruit is pressed directly in whole bunches, without destemming, to limit oxidation. Fermentation is spontaneous with natural yeasts, taking place in old tuns, with no strict temperature control. Finally, the wine is aged on fine lees for ten months, without stirring or filtering. The wine has a straw yellow colour with hints of gold. The nose is pure, complex and refined, marked by notes of juicy pear, white flowers, quince and preserved lemon. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, but quickly balanced by beautiful tension.