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Kasteelberg Chenin Blanc
Riebeek Cellars
South Africa - Western Cape - Coastal Region - Swartland

The Kasteelberg range of wines celebrates the discovery of the Riebeek Valley and the Kasteelberg mountains in 1661. Kasteelberg stands sentinel over the fertile valley below. From the slopes of the mountains, hand-selected grapes are expertly crafted with care to produce rare and expressive wines.

Limited release, single-vineyard Chenin Blanc from hand-selected grapes from the foothills of the majestic Kasteelberg Mountain, Kasteelberg Chenin Blanc embodies excellent craftsmanship that transforms the harsh Swartland terroir into the pinnacle of our winemakers’ art.

Together with the age-old tradition of Dry Land viticulture, it resulted in an elegant, aromatic and richly textured wine, with characteristics typical to Chenin Blanc grown under these conditions. Citrus, lemon zest, ripe apple and tropical flavors are only some of the flavors that charm the nose. The palate follows through with flavors of melon, a touch of spice and well-integrated wood for exceptional balance and a luxurious, lingering finish.

Specifications
Appellation
Coastal Region - Swartland
Wine Type
White
Varietal(s)
100% Chenin Blanc
Age of vines
46 years
Agricultural Practices
Sustainable
Soil type
Weathered Shale
Vinification
Once harvested, the grapes are hand-sorted, de-stemmed & crushed into temperature-controlled gravitational drainers. Only the free-run juice is chilled and settled overnight. The juice is then racked off into new, 300 L, oak barrels (50% French oak, 50% Hungarian oak) and wild yeast fermented in the barrels. Fermentation is temperature controlled and lasted around 22 days. The wine is then matured in the oak barrel on the gross lees for 12 months before being racked off, filtered and bottled. After bottling the wine is further bottle-matured for at least 6 months before release.
Production
150 (9-liter cases)

Reviews and News

2019 Kasteelberg Chenin Blanc - 92 PTS - TA 2021

2019 Kasteelberg Chenin Blanc - 92 PTS - TA 2021

tim atkin logo 250"This old-vine Chenin is made with fruit from a 1982 vineyard on the lower slopes of the Kasteelberg. Rich, leesy and slightly dominated by its 50% new wood, but this has the concentration and focus to age well in bottle. Honeyed, spicy intensity is complemented by racy, chiselled acidity. 2021-25"

- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2021 Report), 92 pts

 

2019 Kasteelberg Chenin Blanc - 92 PTS - TA 2020

2019 Kasteelberg Chenin Blanc - 92 PTS - TA 2020

tim atkin logo 250"Even better than the impressive 2018 - at its best, the 2019 vintage is very good for whites - this has some boiled sweet notes that will disappear into the wine over the next few months, as the spicy oak, tangy acidity, and pear and apple flavours start to assert themselves. 2021-25"

- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2020 Report), 92 pts

 

2018 Kasteelberg Chenin Blanc - 91 PTS - TA

2018 Kasteelberg Chenin Blanc - 91 PTS - TA

tim atkin logo 250"This old-vine Chenin is made with fruit from a 1982 vineyard on the lower slopes of the Kasteelberg. Rich, leesy and slightly dominated by its 50% new wood, but this has the concentration and focus to age well in bottle. Honeyed, spicy intensity is complemented by racy, chiselled acidity. 2021-25"

- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2020 Report), 91 pts

 

Producer Information: Riebeek Cellars

Riebeek Cellars is located in the picturesque Riebeek Valley, in the heart of the Swartland wine region of South Africa. Established in 1941 by a group of nine local farmers, ...
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