Ormonde Ondine Chenin Blanc

The Ormonde Ondine Chenin Blanc offers a refined expression of Chenin Blanc, encapsulating the varietal’s capacity for complexity and elegance. This wine is a testament to the thoughtful viticulture and winemaking practices employed to harness the full potential of Chenin Blanc grown under optimal conditions.

Technical Analysis:

Alcohol: 12.81%
Residual Sugar: 1.6 g/l
pH: 3.52
Total Acidity: 5.0 g/l
These metrics suggest a balanced wine with moderate alcohol, making it both approachable and capable of developing depth over time.

Description:

Ageing Potential: Recommended to age for 3-5 years, during which the wine can evolve to highlight increasingly complex nuances.
Blend: 100% Chenin Blanc, focusing solely on this versatile and expressive grape.
Vinification and Ageing:
This Chenin Blanc was aged on the lees in the cellar, a technique that enhances aroma complexity through the development of richer textures and more intricate flavors. Gentle stirring of the lees (bâtonnage) was employed to maximize this effect, contributing to the wine’s creamy texture and robust flavor profile.

Harvest:

Harvest Date: March 2017
Vineyard: Grapes were hand-picked from a dry land vineyard, ensuring concentrated flavors due to the limited water supply. The vineyard benefits from a cool climate, high altitude, and its proximity to the ocean, factors that contribute to the grapes’ acidity and aromatic intensity.
Tasting Notes:

Aroma: The wine greets with fruity aromas of guava and white peach, indicative of the ripe and healthy fruit harvested.
Palate: On the palate, it is smooth and creamy, thanks to the lees ageing, offering a depth that is often sought in unwooded Chenin Blanc. The flavors are clean and well-defined, featuring a blend of tropical and stone fruits.
Finish: The finish is lingering and showcases the inherent complexity of the wine, leaving a lasting impression of freshness and elegance.
Food Pairing:
This Chenin Blanc is versatile with food pairings but shines particularly well with dishes like a pear and walnut salad dressed with blue cheese. The creaminess of the blue cheese and the crunch of the walnuts complement the wine’s texture and balance its fruit-forward palate. It’s also suited for pairing with seafood, chicken dishes, and creamy pasta, making it a flexible choice for varied culinary contexts.

Serving Suggestions:
Best enjoyed chilled at around 8-10°C (46-50°F) to enhance its refreshing qualities and highlight its intricate aromas and flavors.

Overall Impression:
The Ormonde Ondine Chenin Blanc is an exquisite representation of what Chenin Blanc can achieve when nurtured under ideal conditions and with meticulous winemaking. It is a wine that invites contemplation and offers rewarding complexity, suitable for both immediate enjoyment and medium-term aging.