Ken Forrester Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc 2010
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Aged for 12 months in the same oak regime as the regular Chenin Blanc with the fruit picked a little riper, the 2010 Reserve Chenin Blanc has a well-defined bouquet with very well integrated oak and hints of hazelnut and spice. It has a very well balanced palate with powerful citrus fruits laced with lemon curd, orange essence, apricot and brioche that dovetail into a precise finish. This Chenin comes highly recommended, especially for the price. Drink now-2017+
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Wine Enthusiast
A strong toasty streak lines the essence of the beautiful Chenin Blanc, adding character to the apple and pear fruit core. The mouthfeel is full and rich without being overdone thanks to the balanced acidity, while nuances of sweet spice, pie crust and wood-grilled Red Delicious all linger well into the long finish.
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Wine Spectator
Juicy and well-focused, with mouthwatering pear, fig and apple notes laced with brioche and persimmon. Shows good cut on the finish. Drink now through 2013. 1,250 cases imported.
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In 1993, hospitality industry veteran Ken Forrester and his wife Teresa purchased the historic Scholtzenhof estate, nestled at the base of the Helderberg in Stellenbosch. Originally established in 1689 as Zandberg, the property is one of the oldest wine farms in the Cape. Ken enlisted the help of his winemaker friend Martin Meinert in replanting and revitalizing the vineyards, with an aim to craft a white wine that could rival any in the world! And so it was that Ken Forrester Vineyards was established, with a focus on Chenin Blanc production.
Unquestionably one of the most diverse grape varieties, Chenin Blanc can do it all. It shines in every style from bone dry to unctuously sweet, oaked or unoaked, still or sparkling and even as the base for fortified wines and spirits. Perhaps Chenin Blanc’s greatest asset is its ever-present acidity, maintained even under warm growing conditions. Somm Secret—Landing in South Africa in the mid 1800s, today the country has double the acreage of Chenin Blanc planted compared to France. There is also a new wave of dedicated producers committed to restoring old Chenin vines.
With an important wine renaissance in full swing, impressive red and white bargains abound in South Africa. The country has a particularly long and rich history with winemaking, especially considering its status as part of the “New World.” In the mid-17th century, the lusciously sweet dessert wines of Constantia were highly prized by the European aristocracy. Since then, the South African wine industry has experienced some setbacks due to the phylloxera infestation of the late 1800s and political difficulties throughout the following century.
Today, however, South Africa is increasingly responsible for high-demand, high-quality wines—a blessing to put the country back on the international wine map. Wine production is mainly situated around Cape Town, where the climate is generally warm to hot. But the Benguela Current from Antarctica provides brisk ocean breezes necessary for steady ripening of grapes. Similarly, cooler, high-elevation vineyard sites throughout South Africa offer similar, favorable growing conditions.
South Africa’s wine zones are divided into region, then smaller districts and finally wards, but the country’s wine styles are differentiated more by grape variety than by region. Pinotage, a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, is the country’s “signature” grape, responsible for red-fruit-driven, spicy, earthy reds. When Pinotage is blended with other red varieties, like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah or Pinot Noir (all commonly vinified alone as well), it is often labeled as a “Cape Blend.” Chenin Blanc (locally known as “Steen”) dominates white wine production, with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc following close behind.