By Van Loggerenberg
2021 Chenin Blanc 'Trust Your Gut' Western Cape

Producer Notes
This is the fifth release of this seminal example of Chenin Blanc grown in granite. Lukas had always listened to his inner self, who knew what was right, even when the mind said otherwise. His gut told him that taking two components and blending them would make a greater example of the sites rather than on their own. This is symbolically illustrated on the label with the sailor needing to find his way with a compass and the bee inherently knowing where to find pollen. Lukas feels that Chenin Blanc is the perfect narrator of site, and that too often, wine nerds get fixated on the single-vineyard Chenins to tell that story.

Vineyard Notes
Two vineyards were used for this wine. The first is the Uitvlug farm in Joubertskloof, on the Western edge of the Paardeberg, adjacent to Eben Sadie's farm. This vineyard tells - via the Chenin - a story of elegance, focus, and mineral and herbal tones with subdued fruit. The famed Karibib Vineyard in the Polkadraai region of Stellenbosch is a bit louder, providing bass notes and a glossy, intense, yellow fruit with salinity and great depth.

Vineyard Details
Grapes: 100% Chenin Blanc
Vineyard: Uitvlug Farm (Joubertskloof - Swartland), Karibib Vineyard (Polkadraai - Stellenbosch)
Vine Age: 41 years old (Swartland), 35 years old (Stellenbosch)
Soil: Decomposed granite over clay (Swartland), granitic sand (Stellenbosch)
Viticulture: Practicing organic, dry farmed

Vinification Notes
The parcels were hand-harvested, whole-bunch pressed in stainless steel, then left to settle overnight. The wine was racked in third-fill French oak demi-muids the next morning, and the parcels were kept separate for fermentation and maturation. Fermentation occurred naturally without any additions, with malolactic fermentation blocked via a naturally cooler temperature. The wine aged on its gross lees and with no battonage. After nine months, the wine was racked, and Lukas made the final blend.

Vinification Details
Fermentation: Native, whole-bunch pressed and left to settle overnight, then racked to old French 500-liter demi-muids
Skin Contact: None
Aging: Nine months on gross lees in neutral 500-liter French demi muids

Technical Details
Alcohol: 13.00%
pH: 3.34
Total Acidity: 6.10 g/L
Total SO2: 94 ppm

Tasting Notes
Citrus and peach explode on the palate with slight but unencumbered notes of reduction, followed by chamomile and raw honey. The medium palate is invigorating, with well-proportioned acidity, and the finish persists like a setting sun over False Bay.
[Information provided by Vine Street Imports]

2021 Trust Your Gut
Producer: Lukas Van Loggerenberg
Place of Origin: South Africa, Swartland
Color: White
Grape/Blend: Chenin Blanc
Rating: 91
Drinking Window: 2023 - 2029
From: Growing Up ‘n Getting Wiser: South Africa in 2022 (Sep 2022)
The 2021 Trust Your Gut is a pure Chenin Blanc named after Loggerenberg's approach in terms of when to pick. [...]. Crops were lower this year, small berries but with thick skins, so he did not have to press too hard to obtain texture. Raised on its lees for nine months, the 2021 has a distinctly silvery gold hue. The nose is quite intense and pithy - peach skin, nectarine, lanolin and melted wax. The palate is well balanced with fine acidity, wonderfully oily in texture with dried peach, orange rind and light nutty notes on the finish. Excellent. 
By: Neal Martin on August 2022

Van Loggerenberg Chenin Blanc Western Cape Trust Your Gut 2021
Score: 86
Wine Type and Color: White Still
Reviewed By: Alison Napjus
Primary Grape: Chenin Blanc
Issue: Web Only - 2023
Region: South Africa / Western Cape
An oaky white, with overtones of smoke, vanilla and spices, plus modest notes of poached apricot, Meyer lemon peel and herbs. Drink now.

Van Loggerenberg Wines, Trust Your Gut Chenin Blanc 2021 Western Cape
Producer: Van Loggerenberg Wines
Cuvee: Trust Your Gut
Grape Variety: Chenin Blanc
Appellation: Western Cape
Region: Western Cape
Country: South Africa
Colour: White
Alcohol: 13.00%
Score: 17/20
When to Drink: 2023 - 2029
Published On: 17 Oct 2023
Date Tasted: 11 Sep 2023
Reviewer: Tamlyn Currin
Lukas Van Loggerenberg tells me that 2021 was the coolest vintage since 1997 and will cellar for many years to come. 'The idea was to bottle a Chenin that speaks of SA.' [...] Fermented in 500-litre barrels, on gross lees [...]. 
So much texture here and it's the first thing that I noticed. Yuzu and herbs and a swirl of sour cream that pipes into steely acidity that then fans away into flowers on the finish. Lime flowers, jasmine and honeysuckle. Lemon-pie richness. Frangipani texture. Lemongrass and flint. A glass of Frida Kahlo. (TC)