The year 1986 marked an era of wildness, not only due to the planting of Delheim’s iconic Ou Jong (Old Youngster) vineyard – the birthplace of the renowned Wild Ferment Chenin Blanc – but also because of the unique creative spirit of that time. Now, the Stellenbosch winery proudly presents the latest vintage of this exceptional wine, the first since being officially recognized as a Heritage Vineyard. The Delheim Wild Ferment Chenin Blanc 2021 embodies the essence of the family-owned winery’s motto: A Journey Worth Taking.
Embracing its newfound status, the bottle now features a special seal and serial number that vouch for its heritage and connect to the untamed approach employed in crafting the wine itself. Instead of introducing commercial yeast, Delheim embraces the “wild” strains present in the air around the winery and on the grapes to initiate fermentation.
Roelof Lotriet, the cellarmaster, explains, “I prefer spontaneous or wild fermentation for this vineyard because it has a history to tell. Younger vineyards are like children, still finding their way. But older vineyards, like the block we use for the Wild Ferment Chenin Blanc, have weathered many seasons and carry numerous stories.”
“It’s like that relative who captivates everyone with the best stories around the campfire or dinner table,” he adds. And indeed, the wine tells stories that reverberate even today. “1986 was a time of immense creativity,” Roelof reflects. “Top Gun dominated the box office, and Metallica’s Master of Puppets album debuted. Interestingly, Top Gun has reclaimed the number one spot at the box office, and thanks to Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things, Master of Puppets is back in the spotlight.”
In that same year, Queen released It’s a Kind of Magic album, and a group of legendary musicians, including Elvis Presley, James Brown, and Chuck Berry, were inducted into America’s Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame. Notably, it was also the year of the debut of the Oprah Winfrey Show and, significantly, the year Roelof Lotriet was born.
“It was and still is a truly exhilarating time to be alive,” Roelof remarks. Shifting to the wine, he highlights that only one vineyard block is dedicated to producing the Wild Ferment Chenin Blanc. To ensure a multidimensional character, Delheim ferments the wine in various vessels, including older 500L French oak barrels and egg-shaped concrete tanks. “Using older barrels is a deliberate choice to emphasize the distinctive Delheim Chenin blanc fruit in the wine, rather than the French terroir.”
The wine matures on the lees for an additional “nine or so” months before the final blend is meticulously composed. A gentle filtration precedes bottling. “To me, this wine encapsulates the wonderful narrative of Delheim and its pioneering role in the South African wine industry,” Roelof emphasizes.
About heritage certification:
While venerable old vines are proudly mentioned on labels worldwide, only in South Africa can this claim be officially certified by the regulatory authority. Members of the Old Vine Project (OVP) now have the privilege of adorning wine bottles originating from vineyards aged 35 years or more with the Certified Heritage Vineyards seal, along with the planting date. This seal ensures wine enthusiasts of authentic wines crafted in accordance with OVP’s viticultural and winemaking guidelines.
Tasting note:
The Delheim Wild Ferment Chenin Blanc 2021 embodies a complex interplay of characteristics typical of this style. Predominant aromas include stone fruits and hints of orange peel, accompanied by a subtle note of honeysuckle. The palate boasts vibrant fruit flavors with abundant mouthfeel, culminating in a lingering finish. Roelof suggests that with careful cellaring, the wine has the potential to gracefully age for at least six years from its vintage.
