Analysis:

Alcohol : 13.4 vols%

RS : 2.8 g./ litre

TA : 6.8 g./ l

pH : 3.35

Old Vines Barrel Reserve 1998:

Dry but succulent and offering layers of ripe Chenin fruit. Green apple and honeyed pineapple flavours are complimented by leesy complexity and enlivened by a refreshing acidity. Chenin's fine qualities are not overshadowed by the subtle oak. A serious wine for serious wine lovers, reflecting a modern approach to the Cape's oldest variety.

The Old Vinesß Barrel Reserve Chenin Blanc is the result of meticulous selection of the best grapes from a single, low yielding Stellenbosch vineyard. This special vineyard is situated high above the Polkadraai Road on the southern side of Stellenbosch and lies just four kilometres from False Bay. The south -easterly aspect also ensured that it received optimal sunlight and the freshest, cooling sea breezes of the Cape summer to protect the quality of the fruit.

This small vineyard, of about one and a half hectares, was planted in 1967, making it 31 years old in the year of the harvest. It delivered less than six tons of tiny, perfect grapes. From the very outset our winemaker believed that the quality of the grapes from this vineyard was so special that the wine deserved Reserve status.

A proportion of the juice was fermented and matured in second- and third-fill François Freres casks for six months. This was blended with unwooded wine to achieve a subtle oak character that does not overshadow the fine quality Chenin fruit. Tasters will find this wine dry but succulent, with many layers of rich fruit enlivened by refreshing acidity and showing a subtle oak overlay. The Barrel Reserve is maturing well and should last for at least another five years in bottle, until 2006.