Mother Rock White Swartland
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ABOUT The Mother Rock wines are very unique in their own regard. With no or very little sulfur added, these wines have a very marked ability to reflect their terroir โ and their creatorโs personality. Stompie is, as we all know, a playful, anything-but-by-the-book winemaker, and this white blend certainly reflects that ethos. A blend of four white grapes, including 25% Viognier, this wine is perfumed and expressive of its warmer climate upbringing. The 2021 vintage saw an increase in the Semillon portion and a decrease in Chenin Blanc, reaching just about equal parts of all four grapes (Grenache Blanc being the last one). In the words of Christian Eedes, it is โsimultaneously challenging and invigorating.โ The grapes were hand harvested at 19-23.5 baume starting mid-January. The different sugar levels ensured good pH and acidity with a good structure and aromas from riper batches. They were all picked in the early morning during cooler weather, placed into lug boxes (smaller quantities mean reduced compaction and damage to the fruit) and then 70% was whole-bunch direct pressed and the remainder was whole-bunch skin fermented. The fruit went into a combination of 70% concrete, 20% old French oak, and 10% stainless steel for spontaneous fermentation. After 14 days, the skin-contact portion was pressed, and the wine was sent back to fermentation vessels for aging. This period lasted about 21 months, using a combination of oxidative and flor-style techniques. The wines was then racked to tank and bottled with just a small addition of sulfur. No fining or filtering. DATA Grapes: 27% Chenin Blanc - 25% Viognier - 25% Semillon - 23% Grenache Blanc Vineyard: Hillside Vineyard (southwest of Malmesbury) Vine Age: Average: 32-years-old Soil Type: Granite, schist, and Koffieklip Viticulture: Sustainable Fermentation: Native โ 70% concrete, 20% old French oak, and 10% stainless steel (30% whole-bunch skin ferment and 70% whole-bunch direct press) Skin Contact: 2 weeks Aging: 21 months in fermentation vessels Alcohol: 12.5% pH: 3.64 Total Acidity: 4.4 g/L Total SO2: 43 ppm Total Production: 667 cases UPC: None TASTING NOTE The nose is redolent of apple, apricot, and citrus, with a waxy almond nuance. On the palate, the wine is round and textured, with a subtle lift on the finish. A Stompie wine, full of Swartland character! PRESS The WineMag | 95