Painted Wolf 'Black Pack' Chenin Blanc

Every now and again we hear of a parcel of grapes with an interesting story or discover a vineyard that gets our creative juices flowing. This range of wines comprises small volume, premium wines from exclusive and sustainably-farmed vineyards. We share our small-scale wine making equipment with one of the region’s biggest producers, Leeuwenkuil Family Vineyards. Over the past 13 years we have worked in their experimental cellar crafting small batches of wine. This relationship allows Painted Wolf Wines access to some of the best vineyards in Paarl and the Swartland.

An elegant wine, with an aroma of fresh bright peach, citrus, straw and vanilla. The wine has a creamy finessed texture, evident new wood aromas and a lovely long finish with nice fresh acid keeping it bouncy and vibrant. This wine will gain complexity over the coming 3-4 years.

These Chenin Blanc grapes were harvested from 20-year-old bush vines in the Paardeberg area of the Swartland, vines of a similar age in Agter Paarl, 43-year-old heritage vines from Wellington. A little Roussanne from the Paardeberg was added for finesse. WINEMAKING The fruit was harvested at a variety of sugar levels, between 22 and 23 balling, whole bunch pressed and settled before being fermented in barrel with natural wild yeast. We used 500- litre French oak barrels, with around 25% new super tight grain oak. The balance were older barrels. Fermentation was very slow. Total production 2,700 bottles.