Paulus Wine Co. Bartas Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc 2023

Paulus Wine Co. Bartas Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc

Region: Stellenbosch, South Africa

Vintage: 2023

Bottle size: 75cl

Grape: Chenin Blanc

ABV: 12.5%

On the nose, lifted notes of green apple, lemongrass, and wet stone. The palate is poised with refreshing acidity and notes of lemon pith and sea spray.

The grapes are sourced from a vineyard block located on a small hill on Rustenhof Farm, in the Helderberg, the southernmost region of Stellenbosch. Planted in 1978, the bush vines are rooted in shallow granite soils, contributing to the wine's distinctive, mineral character. The site faces a prevailing south-easterly wind and is located roughly five kilometres from the Atlantic Ocean. This results in a notable precision and tension in the wine.

A minimalistic approach is taken in the cellar to ensure pure expression. The Chenin Blanc grapes were hand picked and whole bunch pressed into old oak barrels and one concrete egg. Indigenous yeast fermentation occurred, and the wine was left to settle before it was aged on its lees for 10-12 months, then racked and bottled. No fining or filtration occurred, with minimal sulphur additions.

Founded in 2018, Paulus Wine Co. have quickly cemented themselves as rising stars in South African wine, with Neal Martin describing their 2019 vintage of ‘Bosberaad’ as “one of the best Chenin Blanc wines that I have tasted in a long time”. Founders Paul Jordaan and Pauline Roux each have a remarkable CV, Paul having been Sadie Family Wines’ winemaker for the last 12 years, and Pauline working vintages at Domaine Drouhin (Oregon), Brokenwood (Hunter Valley), Mullineux and AA Badenhorst (Swartland). Paulus Wine Co. reflects their shared passion for the Swartland, organic viticulture, low-intervention winemaking and site-specific Chenin Blanc.