2024 Roodekrantz Donkermaan chenin blanc

Winery

Roodekrantz works with small batches and old vineyards in the Helderberg region of Stellenbosch. The focus is on fresh, terroir-driven wines with balance and refinement rather than power or over-extraction. For this Donkermaan Chenin Blanc, only old bush vines grown without irrigation are used. This results in low yields but great concentration and tension in the fruit. The wine is carefully aged in older French oak barrels so that the character of the grape and the vineyard remains central. You can find more information under the Winery tab.

Origin and terroir

The grapes for the Roodekrantz Donkermaan Chenin Blanc 2024 come from the Helderberg in Stellenbosch, one of South Africa's most acclaimed wine regions. The vineyards are situated on decomposed granite soils with a sandy structure. These poor soils result in low yields and give the wine its fine minerality and crisp structure.

The climate of Stellenbosch is influenced here by cooling ocean air from False Bay. As a result, the grapes retain their fresh acidity while still being able to ripen fully. The combination of dry conditions, old vines, and granite-rich soils produces a Chenin Blanc with precision, elegance, and striking purity.

Grapes and vineyard management

This wine is made from 100% Chenin Blanc sourced from dry-land old bush vines planted in 1984. The vines are now well over forty years old and naturally produce small yields with high flavor concentration. Thanks to the lack of irrigation, the roots are forced deep into the soil, resulting in extra complexity and terroir expression.

The grapes were harvested by hand early in the morning at optimal ripeness. That relatively moderate sugar content contributes to the fresh and refined character of the wine. The combination of old vines, dry cultivation, and careful selection gives this Chenin Blanc its pure fruit intensity and lively structure.

Vinification and aging

After the harvest, the grapes were carefully crushed and gently pressed. The juice was then left to rest overnight to settle clear before fermentation started in older French oak barrels. By using used barrels, the wood remains subtly present and the fruit is given ample space.

The wine subsequently matured for eleven months in French oak with full sur lie aging. This long period on the fine lees imparts extra texture, tension, and depth without losing its elegant character. The balance between fresh acidity, refined fruit, and subtle creaminess makes this wine remarkably precise and layered. Total production amounted to only 1,700 bottles.

Color, smell and taste

In the glass, the wine displays a clear light yellow color with subtle golden reflections. The aroma opens refined and pure with notes of pineapple, citrus zest, and orange blossom. These are followed by notes of white peach, green apple, and ripe stone fruit.

The taste is tight and energetically structured with a strikingly precise balance between fruit and acidity. Ripe citrus, passion fruit, and peach form the heart of the wine, while the fresh acidity provides length and tension. The texture remains slender and elegant without becoming heavy or creamy. Green apple, citrus, and subtle minerality return beautifully in the long finish.

With an alcohol content of 12.6%, a pH of 3.28, and a total acidity of 5.9 g/L, the wine remains lively and drinkable. The residual sugar content of 3.8 g/L provides just enough roundness without compromising the fresh style.

Style and character

This Donkermaan Chenin Blanc emphatically opts for finesse and precision. This is not a rich or broad-based style, but rather a wine centered on pure fruit, tension, and elegance. The combination of old bush vines, cool influences, and long aging on the lees creates depth without heaviness.

The wine pairs excellently with refined dishes with fresh accents. Think of ceviche with lime and fresh herbs, grilled prawns or calamari with lemon and olive oil, light Asian dishes with ginger and citrus, or summer salads with peach, cucumber, and mint. Soft goat cheese with honey also combines particularly well with the fresh acidity and subtle fruit notes of this wine.

Volume

The 2024 growing season began with significant rainfall, followed by a long dry and warm period from late September to mid-February. As a result, ripening proceeded faster than usual and yields were lower for early-ripening grape varieties. The dry conditions ultimately produced grapes of very high quality with concentrated aromas and healthy acidity.

For Chenin Blanc, this meant a harvest of great aromatic precision, ripe citrus fruit, and excellent natural freshness. The conditions aligned perfectly with the elegant style Roodekrantz had in mind.

Pick up in Dordrecht?

If available, you will find the official factsheet and additional information about this fine wine in the 'Attachments' tab. We will automatically send these to you upon ordering this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you come to collect the wine, you will often receive a nice discount. You will see your discount immediately when you select 'Pick up' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht, situated almost next to the A16 with ample parking. Click here for our address.