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Quinta Essentia Chenin Blanc
Quinta Essentia Winery
South Africa - Western Cape - Coastal Region

2015 Vintage:
2015 was hot and dry, but followed a good winter in the Cape where soil water reserves had been filled to capacity. The season was extremely early, and on average 2-3 weeks earlier than normal. Fruit ripened quickly and regular vineyard visits had to be made to ensure that sugar levels did not rise too rapidly, ensuring an ideal picking date.
The night time temperatures were much lower than normal resulting in acid levels being well preserved. Fruit was therefore harvested at full ripeness but with higher than normal acidity and low pH levels.

Vineyards:
Quinta Essentia is made from unique old vine Chenin Blanc vineyards. All four sites expressed optimally ripe fruit and excellent sugar and acid balance. There was no disease pressure due to the warm days, cool nights and low humidity levels. All fruit was harvested by hand with bunch selection happening in the vineyard and in the winery.

Tasting notes:
A deep yellow colour suggests full ripeness and complexity. Aromas of baked pear, ripe apple, hints of fresh citrus and roasted nuts are present on a complex and layered nose. The palate is richly textured revealing pineapple, tropical fruits and golden delicious apple. The finish is long complementeded by a firm acidity that gives the wine length and focus.
This wine will continue to develop in depth and complexity with further cellaring for at least 10 years after vintage.

Specifications
Appellation
Coastal Region
Wine Type
White
Varietal(s)
100% Chenin Blanc
Vinification
Whole bunch pressing resulted in only the best juice being pressed from the bunches, with light additions of sulphur. The juice was naturally settled without enzymes and transferred to a selection of French oak casks the following day. Fermentation occurs naturally and lasts for 8-24 weeks with periodic battonage. After ferments completed, barrels were topped, given a moderate addition of sulphur and
Pairings

Grilled fish and seafood in general.

Reviews and News

2015 Quinta Essentia Chenin Blanc - 90 PTS - VINOUS

2015 Quinta Essentia Chenin Blanc - 90 PTS - VINOUS

vinous logo"Full red-ruby. Musky dark berries, wild herbs and smoked meat on the nose. Concentrated, sappy, surprisingly primary style of Pinotage with a musky saline complexity to its dark berry, herb and woodsmoke flavors. Finishes with dusty, firm-edged, building tannins. Quinta Essentia is a joint venture established in 2015 by Washington state's Betz Family Winery, Carl van der Merwe, a leading winemaker in South Africa and Wendy Appelbaum, the owner of DeMorgenzon.- Stephen Tanzer"
-Vinous (May 2017), 90 pts

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Producer Information: Quinta Essentia Winery

Quinta Essentia, founded in 2015, is a partnership between Betz Family Winery, leading South African winemaker Carl van der Merwe, and DeMorgenzon owner Wendy Appelbaum. They have set out to ...
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