DORNIER WINE’S CHENIN BLANC FOCUS: ONE VARIETY – THREE STYLES

SINCE their inception as a wine producer – Dornier Wines has been making white wine with a Chenin blanc focus. Today they produce three different tiers of wines, and included in each tier a Chenin with its own distinct style.

There is the Cocoa Hill Chenin blanc, Dornier Chenin blanc and their flagship Donatus White – a wooded blend of Chenin blanc and Semillon. Dornier has recently released new vintages of each of these wines.

Different Styles of Chenin Blanc
‘The Chenin Blanc Association of South Africa recognises six distinct styles of Chenin Blanc. We currently offer three of the six styles and we hope to one day be producing all six Chenin blanc styles in our portfolio. At Dornier Wines we believe that Chenin blanc is by far the most attractive and versatile white wine varietal available in South Africa and we see it as integral in the future of white wine production on the farm” says winemaker JC Steyn.

First in the Dornier Chenin blanc portfolio is the Cocoa Hill Chenin blanc – which fits into the Chenin Blanc Association’s fresh and fruity category.

Dornier Chenin Blanc 2010

Grapes for this wine were harvested at lower sugar level in order to obtain this fresh and fruity expression – as opposed to the grapes for the Dornier Chenin blanc, which were rather ripe in order to fall into the category known as ‘rich and ripe unwooded’

Steyn further comments that ‘Our flagship white wine, the Donatus falls into the Chenin Blanc Association’s rich and ripe wooded category. However it must be noted that we really make a point of it to obtain a good level of freshness in the Donatus White blend.’

This freshness comes from the introduction of Semillon, but harvest time for the Chenin is crucial in also obtaining these elements for the main variety. One attribute that is well portrayed by the Dornier Donatus White is how well Chenin blanc handles wood ageing.

Dornier - Stellenbosch

2010 Cocoa Hill Chenin Blanc – Fresh & Fruity (unwooded)
Grapes for the 2010 Cocoa Hill Chenin blanc were selected from vines aged between 19 – 52 years-old and located in several different Stellenbosch micro-climates. The result is wine with many layers and depth. Wine was left on lees for two month to give it the desired fullness and texture.

Aromas of guava and kiwi with nuances of citrus are complemented by an alluring intensity which is evident as a result of the extended lees ageing. On the palate we were mostly striving for a tropical and fresh palate with a clean and crisp fruit aftertaste which dominates on the palate,’ says JC. ‘This is accompanied by the contrasting fullness and texture – proving the true complexity of this variety.

2010 Dornier Chenin Blanc – Rich and Ripe (unwooded)
For the 2010 Dornier Chenin blanc, grapes were sourced from the semi-arid Swartland area – which is well-known for its dry-land bush vine Chenin blanc grapes. With a somewhat harsh terroir, the fruit delivers singular quality and highly expressive flavours.

Winemaker JC Steyn was impressed with the fruit quality. Grapes were lightly pressed and then aged in steel tanks and older oak barrels, with the wine remaining on full lees for a further five months before filtering and bottling.

The nose show off more upfront fruit than the 2009 did, with an array of white pear, dried peaches and ripe apricot aromas. The palate yet again surprised with its seemingly perceived sweetness and a concentrated silky mouth-feel, derived from the fruit as well as the extended lees contact.

Flavours of ripe peach/apricot persist on the palate with a lovely complexed mid-palate, and a fresh mineral aftertaste that lingers.

2009 Dornier Donatus White – Rich & Ripe (wooded)
Dornier’s flagship range – Donatus offers wines of remarkable quality, elegance and complexity. The 2009 Donatus White is a blend of Chenin blanc (77%) and Semillon (23%), and admirably combines the opulence and complexity of barrel-aged Chenin Blanc with the freshness and rich mouth-feel of the Semillon.

For the first time, Chenin blanc from the Swartland was included to add complexity and fullness to the wine. All batches spent eight months on lees within French oak barrels. The nose is dominated by ripe golden delicious apples, citrus nuances and roasted nuts.

Complementing flavours of tropical fruit lend to a rounded, full palate, with elements of freshness and minerality. There is a perfect balance between sweetness, acidity and alcohol, which culminates in a long lasting aftertaste.

For more information on Dornier Wines and their Chenin blanc focus call (27) (21) 880 0557, email info@dornier.co.za or visit www.dornier.co.za

Source: Manley Communications

More wine Specials – More accommodation Specials – More restaurant Specials
_____________________________________
Find us on: Facebook |  Twitter |  YouTube | WineTube |  BottlePlatePillow |  Flickr |  Vimeo |  Blog