Fleur du Cap releases prized 2003 Chenin Blanc

Monday, 19 July, 2004
Gudrun Clark Communications
Fleur du Cap Chenin Blanc 2003 just released with a string of awards in tow, has followed in the footsteps of its predecessor as a recognised international 'Super Chenin'.

The Fleur du Cap Chenin Blanc 2003 was selected as one of the wines showing 'Great Expressions of Chenin' at the 2004 Le Rendez-Vous du Chenin in Loire, France. An impressive 16 South African wines were amongst the total of 51 wines honoured at this annual event which is held to raise the global profile of this faithful cultivar. This year 210 Chenin blanc wines from eight countries were tasted by 53 international wine professionals.

The Fleur du Cap Chenin Blanc 2003 has also shown its mettle nationally at two of the country's leading wine competitions. It clinched silver at both the 2003 Veritas Awards and this year's Fairbairn Capital Trophy Wine Show. Its forerunner, the reputable Fleur du Cap Chenin Blanc 2002, scooped four stars at the 2004 WINE Magazine TOPS at SPAR Chenin Blanc Challenge and was honoured at the 2003 Rendez-vous du Chenin .

The grapes for the 2003 Chenin Blanc were handpicked from vineyards in Stellenbosch, including the Bottelary, Helderberg and Simonsberg regions. Its wood integration is sublime due to its four-month ageing period in new American and French Oak with regular stirring of the lees to enhance its flavour.

'This full-bodied wine shows an abundance of citrus and pineapple flavours. On the palate vanilla oak spices with a well weighted middle palate are dominant with sublime wood and fruit integration,' says winemaker Kobus Gerber, who believes that the wine has been shown to have all the complexities and elegance of a fine Chenin blanc.

The superb Fleur du Cap Chenin Blanc 2003 retails at about R34. It is the ideal accompaniment to an assortment of vegetables and seafood such as poached oysters, grilled linefish or lobster, but goes equally well with duck, veal or exotic eastern cuisine.

Issued by: Gudrun Clark Communications
Contact: Rozelle Swart
Tel: +27 +21 462 0520
Email:
rozelle@gc-com.co.za

On behalf of: Distell
Contact: Jackie Thirion
Tel: +27 +21 809 8211
Email: jthirion@distell.co.za