Field Blend from Jonkershoek Valley quite unlike any other wine
2020 IS THE NINTH vintage of the Field Blend from Stark-Condé, the fruit coming from an unusual vineyard on a slope close to the stream at the bottom of the Oude Nektar farm in Jonkershoek Valley, Stellenbosch. The block has various soil types and is planted to a number of different white grape varieties – whereas most blocks of vineyard each comprise a single variety. The original intention was to pick the Roussanne, Chenin, Verdelho and Viognier at the same time, however in 2020 the harvest involved multiple passes and the varieties were pressed separately before blending – unlike most blended wines that involve keeping the varieties apart until after the juice turns into wine. The fermentation of this Field Blend took place mostly in neutral oak barrels, 5% in new wood and a small percentage in concrete egg. And what a round of applause:
• Trophy at the Global Fine Wine Challenge (AU)
• Best in Class at the Trophy Wine Show (SA)
• 5 Stars in Platter’s South African Wine Guide
This after previous vintages also earned glowing reviews from these panels as well as at the Decanter World Wine Awards in the UK. Those who bought one or more of the 2018, 2017 and 2015 vintages must have been rather satisfied, but the 2020 could well be Stark-Condé’s best Field Blend yet.
• For door-to-door delivery of award-winners in all major centres of South Africa, click here to order from specialist wine shop Norman Goodfellows.
STARK-CONDÉ FIELD BLEND 2020
WO Jonkershoek Valley, Stellenbosch. A white blend of Roussanne (54%), Chenin Blanc (30%), Verdelho (9%) and Viognier (7%), all from the Field vineyard on the Oude Nektar farm of Stark-Condé. 12-year-old vines. Almost entirely barrel-fermented, with a small portion aged in concrete egg. The wine then spent eight months in barrel and tank with regular stirring of the lees (spent yeast). Light fining, minimal filtration. 13 915 bottles.
Alc 13 | RS 2.7 | TA 5.6 | pH n/a
Producer’s Tasting Notes: A delicate wine with a perfume that is nuanced, and a very fine tannin on the palate.
Maturation Potential: Wine may peak at around 10 years after vintage.
R235pb ex-cellar.
