2016 Chenin/Verdelho, Momento Your Store

2016 Chenin/Verdelho, Momento

Western Cape, South Africa

Marelise Niemann, winemaker and owner of Momento thinks that Chenin Blanc without Verdelho is like dancing without music.
Verdelho adds the zing and zest to the blend, giving it that extra twist of freshness, energy and rhythm. The Chenin blanc grapes come from 40-year-old, dry land farmed bush vines in the Swartland, and a 36-year-old vineyard from Bot River, called ‘Langbene’ (Long legs) – named after the unique and extremely long trunks of the vines.  The Verdelho grapes come from Voor-Paardeberg, grown in decomposed granite and clay as well as a vineyard in Bot River grown in Bokkeveld shale. The decomposed granite soils produce a rich, generous and broader palate, while the shale and clay soil from Bot River produces an austere, focused, and texture driven wine. A combination of these two regions, together with the Verdelho that adds the freshness, combine to create a well-balanced wine, both rich and generous and elegant and well-poised, with a mineral focus and bright acidity.

A nose of white peach, lemon rind and jasmine with green melon, green apple and a crystalline, wet stone minerality adding freshness and focus. Crunchy, puckering acidity supports a full-bodied, mouth-coating palate with brioche and tart lemon curd leading to a long, pithy finish.

Whats in the bottle
78% Chenin Blanc and 22% Verdelho

Regular price £24.50
Taxes included.

Marelise Niemann is a perfect example of the new breed of South African winemakers: energetic, innovative and incredibly inspirational. She started her winemaking career in 2007 at Beaumont Wines, while keeping travelling and honing her craft around Europe. Momento is her solo project, merging technical excellence with a real sense of terroir and craft. Incredibly small quantities of wines are produced from dry-farmed, old vineyards, all brimming with intense energy, concentration and elegance. A true superstar in the making.

Marelise’s travels have inspired her to do things differently. In order to explore the individuality of South Africa’s soils and vineyards, she has embraced gentle ways of working to allowing the grapes their clear expression. All oak used is old, a vessel rather than used to impart flavour. The wines are cool, fresh, crisp and vibrant with energy and minerality. They work beautifully with food as a result of their structure, line of acidity and texture.


Producer
Momento

Country
South Africa

Grape
Chenin Blanc, Verdelho

Size
750ml

Region
Western Cape

Types
White Wine

Vintage
2016

Sub-Region
Bot River, Swartland

2016 Chenin/Verdelho, Momento

£24.50

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