Scali, Paarl, Sydafrika, Blanc 2007

De internationale anmeldere er ikke i tvivl.

John Platter (Den mest respekterede Syd Afrikanske vin skribent) skriver om Scali:

Willie and Tania de Waal believe in long-term planning, and two of their aims for their vineyards are to go fully organic and to incorporate more Mediterranean varieties. A first step has been the planting of viognier and grafting of roussanne onto existing vines. Willie’s 2007 harvest season produced ‘wonderful ripeness at lower sugars’. Being named one of James Molesworth’s top six SA producers in Wine Spectator was a high point, but, says Willie dW, the real prize is ‘when people enjoy our wine’.

John Platter om Scali Blanc 2007:

Serious & delightful blend chenin, chardonnay & viogner (70:20:10) The 2007 continues (deliberately) the oxidative style, producing ripe apple, baked fruit aromas with wide, gentle flavours; hint of sweetness adds to weight of 1 year oak (used), all French, natural yeast ferm.

 *  *  *  *

Wine Spectators James Molesworth om Scali:

The winery produces a small amount of an exotic white—a rich, creamy, melon- and mineral-filled blend of Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Viognier. In addition, they produce an admirably good Pinotage, loaded with raspberry and briar flavors, and a superb Syrah, with racy fruit, silky texture and a long minerally finish. It’s got that combination of New World fruit and Old World minerality that sets the top South African wines apart—the best of both worlds, so to speak. Small production here, but well worth the search.

Ole Troelsø - Børsen

Se hans artikel om Scali HER

På Tom Stevensons liste over FASTEST IMPROVING PRODUCERS kommer Scali i 2008 udgaven ind på en flot 4. plads.

Jancis Robinson om Scali, Blanc

The super-focused de Waals. Quite deep honeyed gold colour. Very distinctive nose – lime blossom and hint of oak but deeply mineral fruit and really rich, round texture.  Tastes like burnished gold – definitely like a shiny mineral of some sort. Good lift and life on the finish. Really quite delicate on the finish. A very beautifully constructed wine. Really interesting! Rich and rewarding but with enough (interesting) green notes to keep it refreshing. 5 barrels, 14.5%.

18/20

Info følger

Teknisk information fra Scali

THE “BAK” CHENIN BLANC VINEYARD:

Growing area: Schoone Oord, Voor-Paardeberg, Paarl region, Western Cape Aspect: Southern slope Soil type: Decomposed granite and gravel on clay Vine age & plant density: 38 years; planted 1968; 2597 vines per ha Trellising: Cordon trained, 1 wire bush vine Yield: Naturally 2.5 tons/ha or 15 hl/ha

THE “WOLFHUIS” CHARDONNAY VINEYARD

Growing area: Schoone Oord, Voor-Paardeberg, Paarl region, Western Cape Aspect: Eastern slope Soil type: Decomposed granite on gravel Vine age & plant density: 15 years; planted 1991; 3048 vines per ha Trellising: Cordon trained, 5 wire VSP Yield: Restricted to 5 tons/ha or 30 hl/ha

THE GRAPES

Low yields and fenolic ripeness on a balanced vine are the key elements we work for in the vineyard. From pruning of the vines in winter, desuckering in spring, green harvesting at veraison which includes removing of any green berries on remaining bunches, to removing of any raisins or damaged berries just before harvest, meticulous attention are given to fruit quality and vine balance. After this vineyard triage, the final quality control is done by Tania and Willie on top of the fermentation vat before destemming.

WINEMAKING

The grapes are hand harvested early in the morning into well vented crates of 10kg capacity. Destemming the Chenin Blanc takes place on top of open fermentation vats in which the grapes ferment with skin contact for approx. 72 hours. The wine is pressed in a 220 litre basket press and transferred to old French oak barriques where fermentation completes. The Chardonnay is immediately pressed after destemming and fermented in French oak barriques.

AGING AND BLENDING

SCALI Blanc 2006 consists of 75% Chenin Blanc, 20% Chardonnay and 5% Viognier and was aged separately, on it’s lees, for 12 months in old French oak barriques , after which it was bottled with only a light filtration at our cellar.

PRODUCTION

SCALI Blanc 2006: 20 barriques / 6000 bottles

ANALYSIS

Alc: 14.5% vol. pH: 3.6 TA: 6.1g/l RS: 3.8g/l

TASTING NOTES

Seductive complexity of ripe summer fruits with spices and a long, lingering, well balanced after taste with excellent structure and tannin. We recommend ageing of 3 to 5 years and that this wine be decanted to allow it to express it’s true soul!