Chenin Blanc, Verdelho
75cl * 13.0% / 13.5% ABV * Western Cape, South Africa
Born out of a passion for Mediterranean varieties and old-vine fruit, plus her experiences in California, Rhône, Burgundy and Portugal, Momento is a solo project from dynamic winemaker Marelise Niemann.
Marelise earned her stripes as the winemaker at Beaumont Family Wines from 2007 to 2014, sharing cellar space with Crystallum’s Peter-Allan Finlayson and Thorne & Daughters’ John Thorne-Seccombe. Marelise champions varieties which flourish in South Africa’s warm, dry climate and truly express their origins. Her winemaking is minimalist, utilising indigenous yeast barrel fermentations, old basket presses, manual punch downs and maturation in old French oak to preserve a profound purity of fruit.
This expression combines Chenin Blanc's generous fruit and mouthfeel with Verdelho’s zesty acidity. The grapes were gently whole bunch basket-pressed and fermentation took place in mixed size old French oak barrels using indigenous yeasts offering a sense of terroir. Some of the fine lees was added back into the barrel to allow for more complex characters and textures to develop in the wine. The wine was aged for 10 months in barrel following 100% malolactic fermentation, and bottled without fining.
Aromas of white peach, lemon rind and jasmine with wet stone minerality adding freshness and focus. Mouth-watering acidity supports a full bodied, mouth-coating palate. Notes of brioche and tart lemon curd lead to a long, pithy finish.