Country: | South Africa |
Region: | Franschhoek |
Winery: | Leopard's Leap |
Grape Type: | Chenin Blanc |
Vintage: | 2011 |
Bottle Size: | 750 ml |
Babylons Peak Chenin Blanc is made from 100 percent Chenin Blanc.
Babylon's Peak winery, situated on the highest weathered granite slopes of the Paardeberg Mountain, is privately owned by the Basson family who has passed down the tradition, passion and art of winemaking over four generations. Predominantly low-yield dryland bushvines are selected to produce these excellent wines with distinctive character.
The Chenin Blanc grapes were picked from very old dryland bushvine vineyards. The vineyard grows on weathered granite soils, contributing to the flavor of the grapes and mineral character of the wine. Production is limited to 5 tons/ha.
The grapes were harvest by hand at 22.1°B. The grapes were destalked and lightly crushed. Only the first 450 litres free-run juice per ton were fermented in stainless steel tanks at a cold temperature (10-12°C) for 21 days. The wines was left on the fermentation lees until bottling.
A crisp, fresh and fruity Chenin Blanc from low-yield dryland bushvines.
Pairs with salads, seafood, chicken and other light dishes. The perfect wine for every occasion.
Kasteelberg Chenin Blanc is made from 100 percent Chenin Blanc.
The Kasteelberg range of wines celebrates the discovery of the Riebeek Valley and the Kasteelberg mountains in 1661. Kasteelberg stands sentinel over the fertile valley below. From the slopes of the mountains, hand-selected grapes are expertly crafted with care to produce rare and expressive wines.
Limited release, single-vineyard Chenin Blanc from hand-selected grapes from the foothills of the majestic Kasteelberg Mountain, Kasteelberg Chenin Blanc embodies excellent craftsmanship that transforms the harsh Swartland terroir into the pinnacle of our winemakers’ art.
Together with the age-old tradition of Dry Land viticulture, it resulted in an elegant, aromatic and richly textured wine, with characteristics typical to Chenin Blanc grown under these conditions. Citrus, lemon zest, ripe apple and tropical flavors are only some of the flavors that charm the nose. The palate follows through with flavors of melon, a touch of spice and well-integrated wood for exceptional balance and a luxurious, lingering finish.
Once harvested, the grapes are hand-sorted, de-stemmed & crushed into temperature-controlled gravitational drainers. Only the free-run juice is chilled and settled overnight. The juice is then racked off into new, 300 L, oak barrels (50% French oak, 50% Hungarian oak) and wild yeast fermented in the barrels. Fermentation is temperature controlled and lasted around 22 days. The wine is then matured in the oak barrel on the gross lees for 12 months before being racked off, filtered and bottled. After bottling the wine is further bottle-matured for at least 6 months before release.
Riebeek Chenin Blanc is made from 100 percent Chenin Blanc.
As the unofficial drink of the Riebeek Valley, the Riebeek Chenin Blanc is the perfect every day wine that offers uncomplicated quality for the novice and connoisseur alike.
Packed with upfront tropical fruit, the nose charms with an abundance of guava and gooseberries. The pallets follows through with fruit flavors, balanced by a crisp acid to ensure a fresh and fruity style of wine.
Grapes came from both bosstok and trellised vines with some of the vineyards as old as 46 years. Fermentation was done at lower than usual temperatures to capture the fresh fruit flavors.
Very accessible and suited to almost every occasion, the Riebeek Chenin Blanc never disappoints.
Alexandre M Mon Chenin Cuvee 20 NV is made from 100% Chenin Blanc.
Mon Chenin means "My Chenin". This is MY PERSONAL view of the Chenin blanc from France.
Floral and fresh white fruits. Mouth with floral character and yellow fruits. Finish clean fresh and dry.
S: 3g/L
Serve as Apéritif, seafood, fishes with buttery sauce, Asian cuisine, hard cheeses.
Brulesecaille Blanc Grande Reserve is made from 75% Sauvignon Blanc, 25% Sauvignon Gris.
Average age of the vines is 25 years.
Manual harvest from September 19th-20th 2016.
Direct press at low pressure (whole cluster) with low amount of SO2, settling at 10°C.
Addition of yeast and alcoholic fermentation in casks 400 liters.
Raised on the lees for 6 months with regular batonnage (stirring of the lees).
Bottling in april 2017.
Fish, seafood, white meats, fine goat cheeses.
Brize Loire Renaissance Anjou Blanc is made from 100% Chenin Blanc.
Anjou Blanc Renaissance was entirely fermented and aged in French oak barrels. The wine is dry and powerful with an intense bouquet of apricot, vanilla and honey.
Excellent when paired with lobster or white fish with a creamy sauce.
Leopards Leap Chenin Blanc is made from 100% Chenin Blanc.
Wine Style: Unwooded, fresh style with bottle maturation. Vinification: Whole-bunch pressed, settled and cold fermented with extended lees contact. Fermentation takes place at optimum temperatures. Grapes are sourced from the Perdeberg region, outside Paarl.
Alcohol percentage: 13.5 %
Total Acidity: 6.8 g/L
pH: 3.2
Residual Sugar: 1.9 g/L
Total Production: 6,600 cases
With its abundance of fruit and the brightness of sunshine, this Chenin Blanc is a remarkable reflection of the African continent. Showing layers of ripe tropical fruit and nutty undertones, combined with a zesty freshness, it embraces the friendliness of the Cape Winelands. Exceptionally versatile, this wine compliments soups, seafoods and white meats, to salads and after-dinner snacks such as olives and cheese.
The Leopards's Leap Estate
Situated at the most southern tip of the African continent, South Africa is a country rich in diversity, a nation steeped in history, and one with a bright future. Agriculture is one of the country’s principal industries, and its rich culture of winemaking spans 300 years. Today, one of the best ways to experience South Africa’s unique heritage is by tasting its world-class wines. Leopard’s Leap is based in the picturesque town of Franschhoek, situated in the heart of South Africa’s winelands, located in the Western Cape province. An hour’s drive from Cape Town, Franschhoek is not only home to some of the country’s finest wine estates, but is also considered to be the culinary capital of South Africa.
The Name Leopard's Leap refers to the Cape Leopard and the efforts of the winery to reinstate the Cape Leopard.
"We are a proud sponsor of the Cape Leopard Trust, a NGO aiming to optimally facilitate conservation of the Cape region's predators, in particular the endangered Cape mountain leopard.
Cape mountain leopards fill the role of apex predators in the Western Cape ecosystem and act as an 'umbrella species' to control the numbers of smaller predators. In effect, they thus help with the conservation of other species by maintaining this balance. By simultaneously implementing conservation strategies, research projects and tourism initiatives, the trust works tirelessly to conserve these beautiful animals."
The Leopards's Leap Vineyards
We at Leopard’s Leap understand that the first thing the everyday consumer looks for when selecting wine is price. That is why we pride ourselves on producing excellent quality wine at affordable price points. Our winemaker, Eugene van Zyl, selects the best grape varietals from the Cape Winelands region, and strives to create wines that are high on quality and can compete with the best of South African wines. Our philosophy embodies creating wines that are popular with all palates and easy to drink, but does not compromise on quality, and can be served at a widevariety of social occasions. Leopard’s Leap produces three ranges. The premium Family Collection is at the top end, and with its sleek black, gold and red labels, these wines are perfect for special occasions. The elegant Classic Collection boasts a wide variety of well-structured wines that all pair exceptionally well with a wide selection of food. The Lookout Range is more fun-loving and is perfect for everyday drinking and as a companion to social events.
Inama Bradisismo is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere.
Our Classic Riserva. 1997 was the first vintage of the wine that we called Bradisismo, just like the geological phenomenon that created the territory of the Colli Berici. Since the beginning, this wine revealed itself as having a strong character due to the presence of the Carmenere, which makes it unique and inimitable.
Bradisismo expresses a synthesis between the intense aroma of ripen and concentrated cherry of the Cabernet Sauvignon, together with the vividness of the Carmenere: pepper, cocoa and wild berries.
For Cabernet Sauvignon lovers, this wine is a perfect alternative to a Super Tuscan or a top Bordeaux wine: Excellent quality/price ratio.
The current label was designed at the end of the 1990s when the vineyards were purchased. It offers a view that is rather more linked to the Colli Berici territory.
The drawing by the architect Nicholas Wood, shows the house that exists in the heart of the Lonigo property, surrounded by vineyards, where the Inama family lives.
The dwelling was built between 1600 and 1700, probably on a pre-existing medieval site, and renovated in the nineteenth century.
The house initially belonged to the Venier family from Venice who, in the 1700s, used to cultivate tobacco on the flat areas of the territory. Traces of this activity can be deduced from the “barchesse” that still stand next to the house and that were used for drying out the tobacco leaves.
In those days, all the province of Vicenza was part of the Venetian Serenissima Republic and many Venetian families had property in the Colli Berici area.
Tasting Notes:
The nose displays an intense bouquet of red and black fruit, spices, pepper, ripe cherries and chocolate.
Tannins are balanced and help the wine to age longer.
Review:
A poised and vivid blend of cabernet sauvignon and carmenere. Plums, blueberries, dark cherries, undergrowth, leaves, sweet tobacco and a touch of black olives. Medium- to full-bodied with fine, firm tannins. Structured and textured with dark berries and some chocolate character on the palate. Earthy with hints of spices towards the long finish. Best from 2025.
-James Suckling 94 Points
Cabrieres Le Petit Cabrieres is made from 90% Grenache and 10% Cinsault.
Le Petit Cabrieres Rouge is a Vin de Pays du Vaucluse as it is made from grapes grown right outside the Cotes du Rhone geographic designation.
Intense red color with purple highlights. Powerful nose of red fruits. Fruity on the palate with a beautiful freshness.
Pair with charcuterie, hamburgers and cheeses.