The Wrekin Libby’s Block Chenin Blanc 2020

Open and intense with orange blossom stone fruit on the noise. All the classic aromatics of a chenin blanc. Dry and broad pallet. Fullness in the mouth and a strong lingering finish.

Focused crisp acidity balanced with rich character. Hints of lime juice and pear. Soft florals.

Planted 2008.

The Chenin Blanc vines are located on hillside overlooking the dam constructed as a rainfall catchment for irrigation as required. The slopes of this block have a variety of topsoil profiles and aspects. The vines were first pruned by our daughter,

Libby.

Libby’s Block Chenin Blanc 2019 is the first release of this noble variety from the Loire Valley. The wine is dry but with a firm fruity brightness.

Growing Season

In summary, a very dry season. Generally seemed colder than normal backed up by the wind machines with the Chardonnay machine clocking up 40 hours in spring (with no damage) and machines coming on in early Jan and again in March and April. Thankfully we didn’t get the constant heat like last summer.

Budburst dates were very similar to those from the 2018 vintage, though in October 400 hoggets got in to the 100 block Pinot Noir and ate approx 1.5ha of vines overnight. The shoots were tender so when they ate the leaf most shoots broke off.

Slow flowering in early blocks then rest went through in a weekend of good weather which took later blocks from around 5 to 80%. Exceptional fruit set on later flowering blocks. 50% flowering dates were very similar to 2019 vintage dates with only 1-3 days difference.

17th Jan saw the first berries going through veraison. Some areas only a couple of days behind 2019 vintage dates for onset, however later blocks were several days behind.

The larger than normal crop load in areas slowed ripening down quite a bit.

Harvest & Winemaking

Harvest started on the 17th of March and last pick was on the 13th April. Our biggest day for our own pickers was 7.998 tonne of Chardonnay on the 2nd April with another notable day being 7.96 tonnes of Pinot Noir on the 30th March. The only non picking days were the 23rd March, 5th, 10th and 12th of April. There were three other days that we only picked around half a tonne. Overall 28 days from first to last pick and 24 days of picking.

With multiple picks required from same rows and Coronavirus restrictions we were unable to remove any nets before harvest. The hard core picking crew was Margaux, Audrey, Maille, Charlie, Josephine and Margaux II. Bin boys were David and Marcus. Up until lockdown we also had Alberto, Lorenzo and Giovani. Andrew, Jan and I chipped in when able. Morning smoko provided by Jan kept morale up along with energy levels.

Chenin Blanc from the 29th March to the 13th April (16 days).

A total of 100.95 tonnes were harvested which was up almost 30% on the 2019 total of 78.34 tonnes.

Biodynamics

Held two successful biodynamic days with good vibes from those attending. Introduced a few more inputs through the season with CPP sprayed on prunings. Also trialled CPP in watering of young vines and as a foliar nutrient. First two applications of 501 were applied. First 500 was successfully buried and matured on site. 501 grinding session involving the wider winegrowing BD group was held late August and we have buried our own cow horns.