Painted Wolf Den Chenin Blanc 2024
The den wines are social wines to be enjoyed with friends and family, named for the den, the heart of all African wild dog communities. Did you know that South Africa produces more Chenin Blanc than the rest of the world combined? It’s true – in fact more than 30% of all acres under vine in South Africa are planted to Chenin Blanc – primarily for their enormous brandy industry. Actually – South Africa grows more Chenin Blanc than the rest of the world combined!
Jeremy likes to use a combination of spontaneous ferments as well as cultured yeasts. He chases texture, but demands crispness with his wines. He likes a delicate mix of barrel aged Chenin along with primarily tank fermented juice. These are delicious, complex wines, made with a great cause as the beneficiary. Proceeds from his sales are donated to a wildlife conservation trust that helps save wild African dogs from extinction – hence the name “Painted Wolf”. If you’re fond of that white wine style that sits somewhere between Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, then this is a wine for you. We call it a “porch pounder”!
Enjoy with grilled fish tacos, ceviche, fresh salads, goat cheese, fried calamari, Thai chicken curries or
chicken satay with peanut sauce, a bucket of popcorn and a movie! Extremely versatile.
Abundant fresh citrus, wet stone and tropical fruit aromas give way to a vibey bright creamy palate. Crisp acidity and a hint of vanilla oak add to the texture, and the wonderful fruit just lingers on and on. Exceptional value.
This wine should be drunk within 2-3 years of the vintage.
“The Painted Wolf 2024 Swartland The Den Chenin Blanc (in a screw-cap bottle) is a lot of fun with bright citrusy aromas, crushed stone and wild sage. The wine offers a crisp, lean feel to the palate, and this is exactly the bottle you need on a hot afternoon on the porch. Fruit comes from the Swartland and from heritage vines planted in 1974 in Wellington. There is an added 10% Viognier that adds honey and yellow rose. This 50,000-bottle release is partially oak aged.”
89 Points – Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
Chenin Blanc 90%, Viognier 10%
Grapes were harvested from Leeuwenkuil farm and several other locations in the Swartland. These vineyards are not irrigated, and the vines are primarily bush vines. The grapes were tank fermented using natural yeast. Total production 60,000 bottles.
Alc: 12,5% | R.S: 3,2g/l | T.A: 5.7g/l | pH: 3.48
W.O. SWARTLAND
Painted Wolf Wines supports the conservation of the highly endangered painted wolf (African wild dog) and the protection of the diminishing wild spaces of Africa.
