Leeuwenkuil Family Vineyards Reserve White, Swartland 2022

Leeuwenkuil is situated in the triangle between Malmesbury, Paarl and Durbanville. The Atlantic Ocean lies 20 miles to the west and this has a significant cooling and moderating effect on the Mediterranean climate. The rolling hills average around 140 metres above sea level. However, the superior influence on the wine is from the various soil formations, namely shale, schist, granite and iron stone. These ancient soils vary greatly in the percentage of clay, mineral content and organic matter. This is a blend from granite and shales soils, making for an interesting blend with body, minerality and freshness. Chenin Blanc makes up the majority of the blend and the vineyards are low density bush vines which handle dryland conditions the best. A mixed cover crop is planted during early winter and ploughed in mid spring. All pruning, suckering and harvesting actions take place by hand. Exposure to spring and summer winds create a healthy environment with little intervention needed to keep vines healthy.

The grapes underwent whole bunch pressing to extract as few lees and phenols as possible, followed by overnight cold settling to clear the juice. The must was then racked with 50% to 5,000-litre French oak vats of eight to 12 years old and 50% to concrete tanks. Wild yeast fermentation took place at 20°C, the higher temperature imparting a creamy mouthfeel. The wine underwent 100% malolactic conversion and was aged for nine months with lees contact until bottling.