As a rule, the Cartology parcels are dry-farmed bushvines, with a minimum age of 35 years, although most are between 40 and 50 years old. The average yields for these parcels is around 3 tons per hectare, or around 20hL per hectare. Cartology 2023 is 94% Chenin Blanc and 6% Semillon. The Chenin Blanc comes from the parcels in the Skurfberg, Piekenierskloof, Malmesbury, Paardeberg, Bottelary, False Bay and Tygerberg. The Semillon comes from the old La Colline block in Franschhoek. The grapes were hand sorted and whole bunch pressed. The juice was very lightly settled (we like very cloudy raw juice) with no additions to the raw juice, wild fermentation took place in cements eggs, old foudres, and old barrels (various sizes). Fermentation of various parcels lasted anywhere between 3 weeks and 11 months. The wine was kept on lees for around 12 months, then rested in tank on fine lees without fining for a further five months prior to bottling. Very simple, careful winemaking. Wonderful nose of pear and kumquat/lime citrus. Some stone fruit too. Fantastic palate, beautiful shape, very balanced, quite powerful, full of savoury sweet tension. Long finish, deep and resonant. One for the books. ANALYSIS: ALC 13.37% | RS 2.3 g/l | TA 5.81 g/l | pH 3.34
