Marelise Niemann, winemaker and owner of Momento thinks that Chenin Blanc without Verdelho is like dancing without music.
Verdelho adds the zing and zest to the blend, giving it that extra twist of freshness, energy and rhythm. The Chenin blanc grapes come from 40-year-old, dry land farmed bush vines in the Swartland, and a 36-year-old vineyard from Bot River, called ‘Langbene’ (Long legs) – named after the unique and extremely long trunks of the vines. The Verdelho grapes come from Voor-Paardeberg, grown in decomposed granite and clay as well as a vineyard in Bot River grown in Bokkeveld shale. The decomposed granite soils produce a rich, generous and broader palate, while the shale and clay soil from Bot River produces an austere, focused, and texture driven wine. A combination of these two regions, together with the Verdelho that adds the freshness, combine to create a well-balanced wine, both rich and generous and elegant and well-poised, with a mineral focus and bright acidity.
A nose of white peach, lemon rind and jasmine with green melon, green apple and a crystalline, wet stone minerality adding freshness and focus. Crunchy, puckering acidity supports a full-bodied, mouth-coating palate with brioche and tart lemon curd leading to a long, pithy finish.
