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DMZ Chenin Blanc, DeMorgenzon

DeMorgenzon
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Technical Analysis
Alcohol
13.8
Residual sugar
2.0
pH
3.40
Acidity
6.5
Download Specification Sheet Download Full Size Images
With the DMZ range, DeMorgenzon aim to produce classic, elegant, well-balanced wines that over-deliver in terms of quality for price.
Tasting note

The bright nose displays fine Chenin attributes of floral and citrus aromas. The crisp, refreshing palate has succulence and weight providing a finish with texture and good length.

Origin
South Africa
Variety
Chenin Blanc
Malolactic Fermentation
No
Bottle Size
75cl
Vegetarian
Yes
Winemaker
Alistair Rimmer
Closure
Screw top
Region
Stellenbosch
Vegan
Yes

Vintage conditions

A mild but wet winter ensured optimal soil conditions moving into the growing season. A relatively cool spring, interspersed with some rain, led to a delayed bud break and in some isolated instances uneven flowering. Some warm weather in January helped alleviate any early season unevenness and the continued moderate weather the farm experienced meant that the harvest was progressing at an even pace and that the winery team was able to give the utmost attention to each parcel arriving at the winery

Vinification details

Cool, early morning harvested grapes were destemmed, crushed, then pressed and the juice settled until clear. Fermentation occurred spontaneously without the addition of commercial yeasts in a combination of stainless steel tanks and old French oak barrels. The resulting wines were racked and sulphured prior to blending and the final blend left on fine yeast lees for maturation until bottling.

 

AWARDS

Tim Atkin MW: 90 pts

Technical Analysis
Alcohol
14.1
Residual sugar
3.5
pH
3.52
Acidity
5.8
Download Specification Sheet
With the DMZ range, DeMorgenzon aim to produce classic, elegant, well-balanced wines that over-deliver in terms of quality for price.
Tasting note

The bright nose displays fine Chenin attributes of floral and citrus aromas. The crisp, refreshing palate has succulence and weight providing a finish with texture and good length.

Origin
South Africa
Variety
Chenin Blanc
Malolactic Fermentation
No
Bottle Size
75cl
Vegetarian
Yes
Winemaker
Adam Mason
Closure
Screw top
Region
Stellenbosch
Vegan
Yes

Vintage conditions

A cold, wet winter preceding the 2021 growing season resulted in delayed budburst and a similarly delayed harvest. Flavour development peaked early resulting in full-flavoured, ripe styled Chenin Blanc with healthy levels of natural acidity this year.

Vinification details

Cool, early morning harvested grapes were destemmed, crushed, then pressed and the juice settled until clear. Fermentation occurred spontaneously without the addition of commercial yeasts in a combination of stainless steel tanks and old French oak barrels. The resulting wines were racked and sulphured prior to blending and the final blend left on fine yeast lees for maturation until bottling.

 

Technical Analysis
Alcohol
13.3
Residual sugar
3.1
pH
3.40
Acidity
5.8
Download Specification Sheet Download Full Size Images
With the DMZ range, DeMorgenzon aim to produce classic, elegant, well-balanced wines that over-deliver in terms of quality for price.
Tasting note

Green apple, apricot, peach, hints of honey and floral aromas characterise a fresh and upfront nose. The palate is rich and well-integrated with a lingering aftertaste.

Origin
South Africa
Variety
Chenin Blanc
Malolactic Fermentation
No
Bottle Size
75cl
Vegetarian
Yes
Winemaker
Carl van der Merwe
Closure
Screw top
Region
Stellenbosch
Vegan
Yes

Vintage conditions

2020 was a moderate vintage with excellent harvest and weather conditions. The vineyards benefitted from decent winter rainfall and harvest commenced fairly early, in mid- January. Optimal conditions during the early part of the ripening period resulted in high acidities and low pH, resulting in wines that are fresh, precise and bright.

Vinification details

The pre-cooled fruit was lightly destemmed and crushed, followed by a short skin contact. Free run and medium press components were then combined, with hard press fractions kept separate. Fermentation occurred naturally with wild yeasts in a combination of stainless steel tank and old French oak barrels. The final blend was made up after 4-6 months of ageing on the lees then lightly filtered and stabilised for bottling.

 

AWARDS

Tim Atkin MW: 91 pts

Technical Analysis
Alcohol
14.4
Residual sugar
2.8
pH
3.40
Acidity
5.6
Download Specification Sheet Download Full Size Images
With the DMZ range, DeMorgenzon aim to produce classic, elegant, well-balanced wines that over-deliver in terms of quality for price.
Tasting note

Green apple, apricot, peach, hints of honey and floral aromas characterise a fresh and upfront nose. The palate is rich and well integrated with a lingering aftertaste.

Origin
South Africa
Variety
Chenin Blanc
Malolactic Fermentation
No
Bottle Size
75cl
Vegetarian
No
Winemaker
Carl van der Merwe
Fined Using
Isinglass, Bentonite
Closure
Screw top
Region
Stellenbosch
Vegan
No

Vintage conditions

2019 was a cooler vintage than the previous hot and dry years. Whilst the vineyards benefited from decent winter rainfall there were some latent stress effects from the previous year’s drought conditions, resulting in some uneven budding. Careful harvesting was necessary to achieve a total pick of optimum ripeness.

Vinification details

Pre-cooled fruit was lightly destemmed and crushed, followed by a short skin contact. Free run and medium press components were combined, with hard press fractions kept separate. Fermentation occurred naturally with wild yeasts in a combination of stainless steel tank and old French oak barrels. The final blend was made up after 4-6 months of ageing on the lees then lightly filtered and stabilised for bottling.

 

AWARDS

Tim Atkin MW: 91 pts

Technical Analysis
Alcohol
13.6
Residual sugar
1.9
pH
3.39
Acidity
5.7
Download Specification Sheet Download Full Size Images
With the DMZ range, DeMorgenzon aim to produce classic, elegant, well-balanced wines that over-deliver in terms of quality for price.
Tasting note

Green apple, apricot, peach, hints of honey and floral aromas characterise a fresh and upfront nose. The palate is rich and well integrated with a lingering aftertaste.

Origin
South Africa
Variety
Chenin Blanc
Malolactic Fermentation
No
Bottle Size
75cl
Vegetarian
No
Winemaker
Carl van der Merwe
Fined Using
Isinglass, Bentonite
Closure
Screw top
Region
Stellenbosch
Vegan
No

Vintage conditions

2018 was a dry vintage in the Cape. Thunder storms in early spring added a lot of nitrogen to the soils resulting in very healthy canopies going into the growing season. The daytime temperatures during the ripening period were cooler than those experienced in the very hot 2016 and 2017 vintages, with relatively cool evenings. Conditions were very dry though, with vine stress management being key to success. Fruit harvesting tended to be very early in 2018, with a focus on bringing fruit into the winery with lower sugar levels and lower pH levels.

Vinification details

Pre-cooled fruit is lightly destemmed and crushed, followed by a short skin contact. Free run and medium press components are combined, with hard press fractions kept separate. Fermentation occurred naturally with wild yeasts in a combination of stainless steel tank and old French oak barrels. The final blend was made up after 4-6 months of ageing on the lees then lightly filtered and stabilised for bottling.

 

AWARDS

Tim Atkin MW: 90 pts