Rijk's Chenin Blanc Reserve 2024
Rijk's Chenin Blanc Reserve 2024
Manufacturer: Rijk's
An elegant and complex wine with a distinct mineral character. The nose is filled with lovely aromas of peach and quince, beautifully complemented by hints of nectarine and marzipan. This palette carries over seamlessly to the palate, layered with flavors of apricot and wood spice supported by a creamy mouth-feel. The wine is highly sophisticated and energetic, built on the solid character of vertical shale/schist soils and refined oak maturation. The long and lasting finish creates a memorable experience and absolutely invites you back for another sip.
2024 / 0,75l / 14% / Tulbagh - South Africa
About the winery
Rijk's Wine Estate & Hotel is located in Tulbagh. Their story begins with a man who had a dream and the courage to follow it. A lover of good food and a collector of fine wines, Neville Dorrington decided to move to the countryside with his family, grow vines and make his own wine.
The slopes of the land called for it, and analysis of the vertical shale soils revealed the potential for growing high quality grapes at low yields. Having been born on the farm in the same year that Rijk's Estate began planting vineyards, it is not surprising that his son Tiger showed a keen interest in nature and agriculture from an early age.
From the age of five, when he was harvesting vines from a four-wheeler, Tiger knew that one day he wanted to take over the family business. In 2016, Tiger officially joined the farm and has now fully taken over from Neville to run the farm. The name Rijks comes from when Rijks Tulbagh was governor of the Cape. Not only was the town named in his honour, but also the Rijk's winery.
Terroir
Tulbagh is surrounded by the Winterhoek Mountains to the north and the Witsenberg Mountains to the east, with the Obiqua Mountains forming a barrier to the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The southern end of the valley opens up and allows refreshing winds to flow in from the southwest.
Although Tulbagh is characterised by hot and dry weather, the surrounding mountains have a significant influence on the local climate. During the day, cool air is trapped in the valley, helping to moderate the high temperatures. The higher altitudes are made up of shale and sandstone, creating well-drained soils that are not very fertile for vineyards.
The lack of water and nutrients encourages the vines to dig their roots deeper into the soil in search of sustenance, resulting in lower yields but more resilient plants. The main white wine variety grown here is Chenin Blanc, but there are also Pinotage, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Recommended wine pairings
Rijk's Chenin Blanc Reserve 2024