Ellaki Chenin Blanc 2025

Description

Bottling date  14th May 2025
Production  1,200 bottles
Region  Swartland

Technical Details at Bottling
Alcohol  12.5%
Residual Sugar  1.42%
Total Acidity  7.38
pH  3.36

Winemaking
Grapes were hand picked on the 11^th Feb 2025. They arrived in Johannesburg 24 hours later via a cold truck (5 degrees Celsius). The grapes were hand sorted, crushed and de-stemmed into our basket press. Approximately 20% whole bunches were used.

The stainless steel tanks were inoculated immediately. Within 10 days alcoholic fermentation was complete. In order to preserve the fresher malic acidity no secondary (malo-lactic) fermentation was completed. The wine was racked and then bottled in May 2025.

Slightly drier and fresher than the 2024 Ellaki, this wine also has more flavour and character, overall it is better balanced than last year.

Tasting Notes
Quiet nose. Crisp, steady, long palate with notes of green apples, pears and hints of cut grass. This vintage was picked earlier than last year to capture fresher characteristics.

This is a fresh fruit-forward wine made for early drinking. Drink now or within 2 years.

Perfect as an aperitif or with a light starter, particularly fish – sushi and cerviche.

Vintage
A lovely, comparatively cool first half of this vintage created a slow initial period. Hot temperatures in January promoted good phenolic ripeness and typical fresh Swartland fruit characters when picked correctly, defiantly a strong vintage!

Vineyard
This Chenin blanc is from Jakkalsfontein, in the Swartland.  It is on a very gentle slope with a slight north facing aspect. Planted in 2004. Soils are mainly ‘Oakleaf’ with high gravel content, medium to high potential. Richter 99 rootstock. Yield is approximately 7 tons/Ha.