Winemaker Notes
Notes of green fig and ripe peaches, typical nuanced Chenin blanc stone fruit aromas, like apricot, pear and pineapple abound on the nose. The underlying flint and finely spiced earthiness underpins the sweetness and presents the first offering, an extremely inviting one. On the palate it all comes to the fore, but with the real undertaking of finesse and balance being the most critical one. This vintage was very forthright in its expression of freshness, with it leaning more towards a natural acidic balance without compensating fruit allure. A really good fit.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Aromas of ripe guava, lemons, currant leaves and crushed stones. Textured and round on the palate with a note of salinity. Flavorful and creamy finish.
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.
South Africa’s most famous wine-producing district, Stellenbosch, surrounds the historic town with the same name; fine winemaking here dates back to the late 1600s. Its valleys of granite, sandstone and alluvial loam soils between the towering blue-grey mountains of Stellenbosch, Simonsberg and Helderberg have the capacity to produce beautiful wines from many varieties. The climate is warm Mediterranean, tempered by the cool Atlantic air of nearby False Bay.
Perhaps most well-known for its Pinotage and Bordeaux blends, Stellenbosch also produces noteworthy wines from Syrah, Chenin blanc, Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc. The district’s wards—Banghoek, Bottelary, Devon Valley, Jonkershoek Valley, Papegaaiberg, Polkadraai Hills and Simonsberg-Stellenbosch—all produce distinctive wines from vines with relatively low yields.