Thursday, December 07, 2023

Meerendal launches a new Blanc Fumé

 An invitation to experience another new wine from Meerendal
Their Cellarmaster Wade Roger-Lund has made a new Sauvignon Blanc, this time in the Blanc Fumé style
which, translated from the French, means smoked white
Called The Chapel 2023, the wine has been barrel fermented; it will be released on December 15th
This style of wine comes typically from the regions of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé in France's Loire Valley
Meerendal has put one whole vineyard block of Sauvignon Blanc into this very special wine
It is their oldest Sauvignon block, planted in 1997 on a high, cool site
Meerendal has 48.6 hectares under vine, 16 hectares of which are planted with Sauvignon Blanc
It has that lovely identifying whiff of smoke, then buttered toast, jasmine and lime blossom on the nose
It is full on the palate with wood just supporting the crisp limes and guava fruit
Minerality and length make this a very enjoyable food wine
It is a style of Sauvignon Blanc that we love and have missed
It was very popular here in the 1990s when Villiera produced a very good example

Wade welcomed us with a glass of their new sparkling sauvignon blanc which will be disgorged in the new year

Still a little yeasty with a good mousse, bready nose, crisp and zingy

Sitting out on the tasting room terrace were Bennie Howard CWM and Delaille Raubenheimer
being poured a taste of The Chapel and Meerendal 2005 Sauvignon Blanc by Wade and winemaker Trudie Mulder

Wade explained that the Meerendal focus is changing
They have always been diverse with restaurants, their hotel, food, events and cycling
Now more focus will be concentrated on their wine

We also tasted something older and rather special, a bottle of Meerendal 2005 Sauvignon Blanc
It hints at the Sauvignon Blanc character, with richness and complexity on the nose
Full on the palate, with layers of berry fruit and a good grip on the end, showing how well Sauvignon Blanc can last
It would be perfect with cheese and dessert

We asked to taste the current 2023 Sauvignon Blanc and there is a similarity on its nose to that of The Chapel
Nectarine, some gentle green pyrazines, with crisp fruit on the exciting palate
which is long and chewy with berries, lime and nectarine
Pumping well above its station, it makes you want to quaff and reach for food
To be added to our daily drinking list

Then we tasted The Loft 2023, a Cape Blend of Pinotage, Merlot and Shiraz
Incense wood, perfume, richness with red berry fruit, complexity and long flavours, soft tannins and spice
One can see how this is becoming a best seller in the market, both here in the Cape and in Gauteng

The Meerendal Chenin Blanc is from a high mountain vineyard near Philadelphia, about 40Km north of Cape Town
It was fermented with Champagne yeast 
Classic Chenin, big fruit nose, softer on the palate

The Meerendal 2023 Pinot Noir is a light almandine garnet in colour
Beautiful perfume; a berry delight with elegance and restraint on a very attractive nose
On the palate, crisp and full of long cherry and raspberry flavours in layers. Definitely one to watch and keep
Not a hint of green or vegetative character; it is grown in a single vineyard  on rich clay soil

The Meerendal 2022 Pinotage shows more of its Pinot noir parent's character; good fruit and gentle, soft tannins

We enjoyed some good cheese and charcuterie platters with the wines for our lunch

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