Straw Wine
Semillon 2015
Martin Meinert and Brendan Butler make a very small and personalised range of wines in limited quantities at the hillside Devon Crest vineyard outside Stellenbosch. Each wine is created with much thought and care to ensure uniqueness and individual character.
In 2008 we planted our only white grape vineyard on Devon Crest, 3459 Semillon vines. In 2014 these yielded 1839 kg of vine-dried grapes or about ½ kg per vine – a huge crop considering we got only 444 kg in 2013. Since then this vineyard has developed into a beautifully VSP-trained vineyard yielding a rich, juicy crop.
100% Semillon
Alcohol 12.46 vol%
Residual sugar 150 g/l
Total acidity 7.4 g/l
pH 3.48
When the grapes are just shy of optimal ripeness, typically around 23ºBalling, we pinch every bunch stalk using a pair of long-nose pliers, this in turn restricting sap flow to the berries. The bunches hang and desiccate on the vines for a further 6 – 8 weeks, concentrating not only sugars and flavours, but also fruit acids so as to ensure freshness on the finish.
Bunches were selectively harvested from the 21st March. The bunches are whole-bunch pressed over an incredibly long pressing cycle so as to ensure all the sugary richness is extracted. A portion of the pressed juice is then returned to the raisined berries to soak and dissolve crystallised sugars. Natural fermentation in four barrels, 50% new.
Fresh straw gold colour, enticing whiffs of honey, pineapple and pear supported with vibrant acidity ensures this wine is not cloyingly sweet. It is a perfect match for apple tarte tartin, crème brûlée or any such dessert, and of course rich duck liver pate or foie gras.
Should age 10 years and more.
Production: 1600 bottles of 375ml.
