Chenin Blanc The Mothership Stellenbosch 2022

Despite the variety of grapes, Chenin Blanc is still the most important white wine variety at Stellenrust. For the Mothership, the grapes from a vineyard planted in 1964 in the Bottelary Hills are fermented in 2000-liter foudres and concrete eggs and then aged for over 12 months in concrete.

The wine initially smells smoky and bacon-like, but then aromas of quince and lemongrass come through. On the palate, tropical accents, an engaging arc of tension, and above all an elegant, fine balance of power, fruit, and freshness.

Tim Atkin: “This brilliant dry Chenin Blanc from the granite and iron soils of Block 24 is made without botrytis-affected grapes – ‘the skins do the work,’ says Tertius Boshoff. Matured in concrete egg and foudre, it has the complexity of wild yeasts, plenty of grip and intensity, aromas of pear, passion fruit, and lemongrass, and a stony, concentrated finish.”