Starke Conde
The Field Blend
2021

R1,680.00

R280.00 per bottle
W.O Stellenbosch

92 in stock

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SKU: 1928374650173 Categories: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The overall fruit quality was exceptional- loose bunches, small berries, and robust skins bringing structure and a concentration of flavours.

Additional information

Weight 1.25 kg
Dimensions 7 × 7 × 26 cm

Winemakers comments

This year we decided to mirror the ratio of the grape varietals in the vineyard, and make an aromatic Roussanne-led blend. The overall fruit quality was exceptional- loose bunches, small berries, and robust skins bringing structure and a concentration of flavours. This wine is almost entirely barrel fermented, with a small portion being aged in concereted egg to add a component of body. We handled the wine as carefully and naturally as possible, giving it only a light fining and then bottling with minimal filtration. By bringing Roussanne to the fore, we made a delicate wine with a perfume that is nuanced and a very fine tannin on the palate. This is the ninth vintage for this wine, and quite possibly our finest yet.

 

Grapes have been grown on this particular site for more than 350 years. The land was originally used by the Khoisan for grazing livestock, and it is believed to be one of the oldest cultivated fields of Stellenbosch. The historical name for this plot of land is Jan Lui’s Field, named for an early owner of the farm.

Vinification and Oaking

We have one block on the farm- the bottom vineyard, just as you drive into our gate- that is quite different from all the other blocks. Because it sits at the bottom of a steep slope as well as being very close to the river, it has a number of different geological influences: there are multiple soil types in this small block. Faced with this difficult situation, we tried to turn it into a positive and decided to plant a mix of varieties that could be picked together to make up one wine. In 2020, most of the grapes were picked in multiple passes and pressed separately. It was then blended and co-fermented together. The juice was barrel fermented in neutral oak- just a small percentage (+-5%) of new oak was used- and the balance fermented in concrete egg. It was aged for 8 months in barrel and tank with regular lees stirring.

Previous Vintages

2015: Six-nations Trophy for Blended WhIte

2017: Platter 5-star

2018: Decanter Gold, 95 pts.

2019: 91 pts, Tim Atkin SA Report 2020

Technical Analysis

Varietal: 54% Roussanne , 30% Chennin Blanc , 9% Verdelho , 7% Viognier

Rootstock: Richter 110

Fruit source: from the Jan Lui’s Field vineyard on our own Oude Nektar farm

Yield: 7.0 tons / hectare

B at harvest: 21.2-22.5

Alcohol: 13.0%

Total Acid: 5.6

Residual sugar: 2.7

Age of vines: 12 years

Trellis: 5-wire vsp

Irrigation: drip irrigation

Vineyard elevation: 200m

Total production: 13, 915 bottles

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The Field Blend
2021”

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