Carl Everson Chenin Blanc

Pork Belly | Duck Breast | Bobotie | Pear Tartlets

Opstal Estate is situated at the foot of the Slanghoek mountains in the heart of the breathtakingly beautiful Slanghoek Valley on the Breedekloof Wine Route. The valley forms part of the Breede River Valley with Worcester as the closest, large town. 'One thing I’ve learned over the years, both growing up and working in the wine industry, is that wine—whether the product itself, the process of making it, or the people behind it—should not be taken too seriously. The key word for me in my winemaking philosophy is drinkability. I aim to make our customers' wine-drinking experience as relaxed and enjoyable as possible.' - Attie Louw

In 2022 I started working with concrete as well with my Chenins and this wine is now a make-up of concrete, large format oak and the smaller barrels. With the vineyard being picked over 3 weeks to have the full array of freshness, fruit and concentration on show at different stages provides so many cool building blocks from which to blend. The fresher 1st pick went into concrete for instance and comes through as the clean notes in this wine.

The wine spent 10 months maturing in the different vessels before bottling in January of 2023. A further 12 months in bottle before release provides enough time for the wine to settle and to be enjoyed either now or to be put away for 5 years.

Partial malolactic fermentation completion after the usual minimalistic approach results in a wine that is as natural a reflection of the site possible.