Experience a truly distinctive expression of Chenin Blanc with Project Z Chenin Blanc Skin Contact from Stellenbosch. Crafted using grapes grown on a forty-year-old vineyard in the Firgrove region, this wine showcases the unique interplay between terroir and winemaking innovation. The vineyard's combination of clay and decomposed granite soils, along with the cooling maritime breezes from the nearby Atlantic Ocean, yields fruit that reveals exceptional depth and character. This Chenin Blanc distinguishes itself by embracing a skin contact technique, with fermentation and extended maturation taking place in Italian clay amphorae. The result is a wine that transcends traditional boundaries, offering both purity and complexity, with a nod to ancient winemaking methods.
Tasting Notes
Appearance:
Bright and inviting, this Chenin Blanc offers a rich golden hue with hints of amber, reflecting its extended skin contact. The wine's clarity and depth of colour set the stage for a unique tasting experience.
Nose:
Aromatic and expressive, the nose opens with notes of stone fruit, preserved lemon, and subtle hints of orange peel. Underneath, layers of wild herbs and a distinct maritime salinity emerge, interwoven with floral undertones and mineral complexity, evoking the ocean air and granular soils of its Stellenbosch origins.
Palate:
The palate delivers a vibrant fusion of flavours, led by ripe peach, quince, and hints of apricot. The skin contact brings a tactile, textured sensation, creating a wine that is both structured and lively. Energetic acidity provides a razor-sharp focus, while gentle tannins impart linearity and depth. Subtle suggestions of honeycomb, sea spray, and chamomile linger as the wine unfurls, revealing an intriguing saline quality that echoes its coastal terroir.
Finish:
Long and harmonious, the finish gracefully combines freshness with minerality and a touch of savoury, lingering salinity. This elegant persistence invites further exploration, rewarding both the adventurous connoisseur and those seeking a refreshing partner for creamy seafood dishes, such as garlic scallops.
