Miles Mossop Wines, Chapter Two: Chenin Blanc 2019

Until May 2018, Miles Mossop’s day job was as winemaker at Tokara, a position he had held since the winery started-up in 2000. The agreement Miles had with GT Ferreira, the owner of Tokara, allowed him to vinify 10 tonnes of bought in grapes and put them under his own label each year. Now completely independent and now making wines in two different locations in Stellenbosch, Miles is starting to extend both production and the range he produces.

This new initiative takes advantage of small, often one-off parcels of grapes that Miles commits to in any one season. The first releases are from the 2019 vintage and these consist of four different chapters. Each of the first white releases equates to a single 400 litre barrel.

This range of limited-release wines tells our story as it unfolds. Each Chapter is unique. Lovingly handcrafted by Miles in his pursuit of outstanding South African wines.

WINEMAKING NOTE

This 100% Chenin blanc from a single 48-year-old bush vine vineyard in the Paardeberg, Swartland growing on decomposed granite soils. The grapes were harvested at around 22 brix on the 30th January to try and retain acidity yet express fruit. The grapes are picked into small grape crates and put in a cold store overnight. The grapes are whole bunch pressed the next day and the juice settled overnight before being taken to 400L old French barrels for fermentation. The fermentation is allowed to start naturally and once completed the wine is topped and matured sur lie for 10 months with regular lees stirring. Only small amounts of SO2 are used in the making of this wine. This wine was bottled without fining or filtration. One 400L barrel was bottled in November 2019

TASTING NOTES

Colour: This wine has a beautiful pale straw colour.

Nose: The nose of the wine is bursting with complex aromas of yellow and white peach, citrus blossom, dry straw and toasted almonds.

Palate: The palate is full of the flavours evident on the nose with a hint of tart quince and pithy notes on the midpalate. There are flavours of toasted almonds and creamy notes evident due to time on the lees in barrel. The wine still finishes with clarity and freshness.

FOOD PAIRING

This wine is a perfect accompaniment to grilled fish and chicken dishes.