The Tea Leaf Chenin Blanc

You know when something feels just right, you can't explain it, it just IS? Well, that's how Boutinot feel about Donovan Rall who they think is simply one of the biggest talents in South Africa! The towering talent of this itinerant winemaker impressed all last year with the Vuurberg blends, and the new vintages are something else. It was only a matter of time, then, before they hand-bagged him into working with them on a Boutinot South Africa project.

Donovan trained with Eben Sadie and Miles Mossop before doing his own thing, and the influence shows but these are very much his own take and finds. Crafted at Zorgvliet's garagiste studio winery, Donovan has put together a pure Chenin and Syrah, in fact his first ever straight varietal wines.

Vineyards

Vineyards high above the valley floor on the Piekenierskloof escarpment are home to blocks of Chenin planted in 1962, Palomino from 1977 and younger Grenache Blanc vines. True to Old Vine Project certification the wine is labeled with the oldest vines. In all these blocks the indigenous rooibos tea plant grows wild.

Vinification

Grapes are harvested in the early hours and then a further selection is made by hand at the winery to select the best fruit. The wine is naturally fermented in old wooden barrels and steel. Finally, the wine is coarse filtered and bottled.

Tasting Notes

On the nose there are notes of freshly zested blood orange, salted butter and macadamia. The palate has firm, high-key fruit, a gentle, sandy texture true to the vineyard soil and persistence. Ultimately this is a deeply satisfying wine made from a blend of old bush vine Chenin Blanc, Palomino and Grenache Blanc vines in Piekenierskloof and Paarl with each cultivar bringing a unique personality to this iconic Cape brew.

Works well with simply cooked fish dishes, scallops, salt & pepper squid or fishcakes, light seafood pasta, risotto, rich salads and sushi.