An 'Aladdin's Cave of Wines await you here!
Primordial Soup White Blend N/V
Regular price £7.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%At the Western Cape’s Pinnacle Point, evidence remains in maritime caves of our earliest known ancestors - a primitive culture that combed the beaches and fished in the same rock-pools from whence they came. Our aim with Primordial Soup is to introduce South African wine in its most accessible form, red and white familial twins made up of multiple classical cultivars, named without variety. The design inspiration is from the illustration’s of Ernst Haeckel, German naturalist, who identified then drew some of the simplest forms of life on Earth. We then use these to relate to Darwinism and the subject of Creation and evolution as a whole. It’s the story of everything.
Tasting Notes
A twinkling in the mind’s eye, this cultured concoction of the Western Cape's brightest cultivars is alive with firm, fleshy fruit. On the nose, it has notes of jasmine and white stone fruit. It has a nuanced citrusy palate and tangy finish. It's the Natural Selection.
Production
100% old bush vines from Swartland's sandy, granitic soils, the powerful Southern sunshine makes sure the grapes reach their optimum ripeness. No irrigation is used in the vineyards and very little crop control is needed due to the age of the vines naturally restricting yield. All grapes are harvested by hand. Produced from only free run juice, part of the blend is naturally fermented and a tiny percentage in old barrels. The wine is left on fine lees for an extended period for greater palate weight and mouthfeel.
Producer
Boutinot South Africa is driven by our passion for discovery and desire to capture the real essence of South Africa in every bottle. It was the simple love of Loire Chenin Blanc that first led us to South Africa in 1994, where we pioneered the wild ferment style that has now been adopted by many producers in this region.
Since then we have been exploring the country's amazing vineyards to make fabulous wines from specific sites and plots that scream location, location, terroir. Our home-grown South African winemaking team of JD Rossouw, Ryno Booysen and Pierre Louw drive the energy and enthusiasm for expressing the loveliest wines from their country, along with Samantha Bailey's expertise in finesse. The key is knowing the characteristics of each plot, understanding the benefits each cultivar can bring, breaking rules and pushing boundaries. We use a combination of knowledge, a love of nature and science to create versatile, expressive and food-friendly wines from a country that has been making wine for 360 years.
Specifications
Year |
N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Blend |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 11% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.25 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Such a versatile wine. Its freshness, flavours and fabulous aromas match anything from a sensational summer salad to a fist of freshly shucked oysters. |
Origin | Swartland |
Appellation | Western Cape |
2023 Wild House Chenin Blanc
Regular price £8.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Bright, textural stuff from old, unirrigated bush vines in the Coastal region grown on sandy soils over granite bedrock.
Tasting Notes
Ripe peach and tropical fruit on the nose with fresh citrus notes. Honeyed and textured on the palate with crisp acidity and hints of mandarin and lychee leading to a bright, juicy finish.
Production
Chenin is the backbone grape varietal of South Africa – it’s the most profusely planted variety in our country and is closely associated to our wine-making identity. To capture the true sense of place and terroir, we’ve made this wine a 100% unoaked Chenin Blanc. Fermenting only in stainless steel ensures the freshness, character and liveliness of the wine is maintained. To tame some of this energy and add more complexity and depth to the final wine, I’ve kept it on its fine lees for approximately nine months. This also adds to the lush mouthfeel and keeps the wine fresher for longer.”
Producer
Wild House is a lifestyle range which reflects a place of raw energy, a weather-beaten hut exposed to the storm-swept slopes of the Cape's mountains. Inspired by the ever-shifting views of the landscape and weather from each aspect of the house, we crafted this range of wines to reflect the land we call home.
Alan's Personal Notes
"WOW - and WOW!! A beautiful, soft, easy-drinking Chenin. Not the most complex but full of fresh clean pineapple aromas and fruit with great balancing acidity!! Incredibly well balanced and appealing for the affordable price tag!!"
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chenin Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Brilliant with seafood, poultry, chargrilled vegetables. |
Origin | Coastal Region |
Appellation | W.O. Coastal Region |
2021 Cher et Tendre Vouvray
Regular price £12.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A delicious, relatively rare and 'precious' style of Vouvray.
Tasting Notes
The purity and freshness of flavour is key to this wine as is the balance between the natural acidity and natural sugar. Delicate notes of witch hazel and bergamot on the nose, backed up by crisp flavours of fresh hazelnuts and quince … tantalising and quite different to the sweeter options that are easier to find in Vouvray.
Producer
The grapes were harvested during the early hours of the day, before the sun has time to heat up the vines, this is essential in order to keep the bright, fresh character that one looks ofr in a just off-dry Vouvray with around 8-10g r/s. The wine is kept on fine lees in cool cellars that are hollowed into the chalky rock strata, thus optimising both freshness and complexity. We gave this wine the name 'Cher et Tendre' ('precious or 'treasure') as it's a relatively rare and precious style of Vouvray, 'Tendre' because it captures the smooth, round and rich flavours of fully ripe and delicately perfumed Chenin Blanc.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chenin Blanc |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 11.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.25 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
A streak of minerality which runs through the finish matches the wine seamlessly to creamy chicken dishes, gently spicy Asian cuisines or a crisp mixed salad. |
Origin | Touraine, Loire |
Appellation | Vouvray Controllee |
2022 Peacock Wild Ferment Chenin Blanc
Regular price £9.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A fine example of South Africa's signature grape variety.
Tasting Notes
Nose
The nose is both savoury with stone fruits, pear, notes of the local fynbos and a distinct note of oregano.
Palate
On the palate it is delightful to find notes of wild honey often true to naturally fermented Chenin Blanc.
Production
The grapes for Peacock Wild Ferment Chenin Blanc are sourced from The Helderberg Ward on the coastal outreaches of Stellenbosch. Old bushvine vineyards (20 - 50 years old), planted in Chenin-friendly soils, have over time found their natural balance and it definitely shows in the wine. The Helderberg and Schapenberg are also known for the large expanses of indigenous flora (fynbos and proteas) and fauna such as caracal, bat-eared foxes, leopards and of course, peacocks.
In fact, four of South Africa's twenty WWF Biodiversity & Wine Initiative Champions (which includes Waterkloof amongst their number) are located on the Schapenberg and Helderberg alone. In addition to sourcing fruit from neighbouring vineyards, there is also a portion of wine from Waterkloof's biodynamic vineyard used in the Peacock Wild Ferment range.
Made by Waterkloof's talented young Cellarmaster Nadia Barnard. Balanced grapes are hand-harvested, then whole-bunch pressed in a horizontal basket press for only the finest juice. Fermentation takes place spontaneously with wild yeast in a combination of old 600litre barrels and concrete eggs. The wine then spends a minimum of 6 months on lees before bottling. No additions other than sulphur. Vegan friendly wine.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chenin Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | White Wine |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian & Sustainable |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
A really versatile wine that will go with a variety of dishes. Try creamy chicken dishes, belly of pork, fresh pasta and carbonara. |
Origin | Western Cape |
2022 Première The Loire Vouvray
Regular price £12.25 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A classic Vouvray, full of flavour and style.
Tasting Notes
Pale straw in colour, with distinctive stone fruit aromas of apricot and peach with a touch of honey. The fruit flavours follow through on the palate with a touch of minerality, leaving a delicate and lingering finish.
Producer
Formed in 1973, Pierre Chainier is both a négociant and the owner of some 250 hectares of vines in the heart of Touraine, from which it sources classic Loire varieties. Its eight Touraine estates include Domaine de la Bruyère in the newly established appellation of Touraine-Chenonceaux. Conversely, Clos de Nouys, its 25 acre Vouvray estate, is one of the oldest in the appellation. Here, vines average 35 years of age in vineyards that were already listed amongst the best sites on geological maps dating from 1907.
Note on Sustainability
For both its négociant arm and its own vineyards, Pierre Chainier seamlessly blends the principles of reasoned agriculture with the most modern winemaking techniques. It encourages sustainable development and official certification for its growers, it uses sugar cane-derived biodegradable “corks”, and it has a comprehensive waste recycling programme.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chenin Blanc |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian Approved |
Food Matches |
Pair with roast chicken, or spicy oriental dishes. |
Origin | Loire |
Appellation | Vouvray AOP |
2018 Marras Piekenierskloof Chenin Blanc
Regular price £13.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Nose
Aromas of pear, quince and baking spice.
Palate
Tastes of fresh juicy pear on the palate and a refreshing aftertaste.
Winemakers Notes
Grapes were ripened by bush vines on the Piekenierskloof mountain. Hand harvested grapes were cooled overnight. Destemmed, crushed and left for 4 hours to obtain skin contact. Partially natural fermented. Combination of barrel and tank fermentation. Matured on fine lees for 6 months.
Vineyards
If you can talk to a grape, it will tell you that the Piekenierskloof region is the ideal spot for a tough top class wine-producing grape, as it’s exposed to extreme conditions. Piekenierskloof is the mountain pass between Piketberg and Citrusdal, over the Olifants River Mountains. With warm inland temperatures rising from the Swartland during the day and cool Atlantic sea breezes rolling in overnight, these grapes grow in a dryer soil with just enough water to produce grapes that add depth and complexity to every single sip.
The Region
The Swartland begins some 50 kilometers north of Cape Town and consists of the regions between the towns of Malmesbury in the south, Darling in the west, Piketberg in the north and the Riebeek West and Riebeek Kasteel in the east. It is so called because of the endemic Renosterbos that appears dark mainly when it rains in winter. The Swartland area is mainly known for wheat, but the crown prince in this area is the small concentrated berries of the vines that produce well-balanced and exceptionally ripe and deep-flavoured wines.
Alan's Personal Notes
"This is really good!! Warm rich stone fruits with wonderfully exhibitive mineral notes and fresh acidity to make it incredibly rich but perfectly balanced with great length and complexity!!"
Specifications
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Chenin Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Features | Vegan & Vegetarian approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Roast chicken, turkey and pork |
Origin | Swartland |
Appellation | WO Swartland |
2022 Painted Wolf The Den Chenin Blanc
Regular price £11.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Winemaking
This wine was made from ripe grapes picked to deliver a rich flavour and texture. It is made up from 3 different tanks produced in different ways. Approximately 50% of the wine was made with standard tank fermentation, and about 30% being fermented with a small number of French oak staves and the balance a “funky” ferment with lots of lees in the tank and a very slow fermentation to build glycerol and texture in the wine. The final blend was put together from these components.
The Background
In 2005, Emma and Jeremy Borg's vinous adventure began when they were approached to make their own wine. Despite Jeremy's two decades of experience in the world of winemaking and Emma's expertise with wine photography, the couple was thrown into the deep end and had to bottle and cork the bounty of their friend's surplus grapes by hand.
The endeavor sparked their dreams of creating their own brand and so Painted Wolf was born. The inspiration came from the endangered African wild dog - highly social, organised, persistent and efficient hunters true to Emma and Jeremy's own vineyard hunts for their expanding range of wines.
Consequently, a percentage of profits from each bottle is donated to support charities dedicated to the conservation of the species, and the painted wolf proudly graces each of their labels. From organic Swartland vineyards to Cape South Coast cool climate sites, the couple has since established a network of esteemed growers and winemakers to ensure quality as grapes are hand-selected and some wines are
TPainted Wolf Wines supports the conservation of the highly endangered painted wolf (African wild dog) and the protection of the diminishing wild spaces of Africa, through its donations to the EWT – www.ewt.org.za and Tusk – www.tusk.org.
Awards
- 3.5 stars – Platter's Wine Guide 2020
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Yet another triumph from the winemaking genius that is Jeremy Borg. It astounds me how much flavour he gets out of his wines. A real winemaking and blending skill. Beautiful tropical fruit, a soft but constant stream of refreshing acidity and enough wood/lees ageing to give fabulous texture and heaps of complexity & balance for the price point. At £12 this is a real triumph, this mouthfeel and flavour usually costs around £20 - at least. Works well either on its own or with food - just astounded by the flavours, texture and complexity at the price point. Painted Wolf range delivers with every drop." Tasted October 2023
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 90% Chenin Blanc, 10% Viognier |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13% ABV |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian Approved |
Food Matches | Complementing such classic dishes as coronation chicken, trout with almonds, or even macaroni cheese. Great value for good everyday drinking with enough class for special dinners, high days, and holidays. |
Appellation | W.O. Swartland |
2021 Off The Record Chenin
Regular price £22.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Similar to Poilly-Fumé in style with a rich mouthfeel and some weight.
The fourth vintage of a very small parcel of Chenin Blanc grapes from the cool climate region of Elgin – only 2300 bottles were produced.
Tasting Notes
Colour
The wine has an attractive pale straw colour.
Nose
The nose leads with appealing citrus notes, which unfold onto the palate with a rich, creamy mouthfeel.
Palate
The broad spectrum of citrus, underlying minerality and gentle wooding have contributed to the complexity of this Chenin Blanc and culminate in a long lingering finish.
Background
The Uncensored Version – a project of heart, and a collaboration between brothers, Mark and Bobby Wallace.
Vinification
Wild ferment and barrel aged for 10 months in 2nd , 3rd & 4th fill barriques. The wine underwent partial Malolactic fermentation in barrel. No added enzymes, yeast and fining agents were used in the making of this wine.
Accolades
- 92pts | Tim Atkin
Bobby Wallace, son of Elgin producer Paul, is an exciting new face on the South Africa wine scene. This cool climate Chenin Blanc – one of the few produced in the region – is flinty, fresh and almost Pouilly-Fumé like. Aniseed, nettle and wet stone notes are complemented by underlying grip and some leesy weight. 2023-26 | Tim Atkin 2022 SA Report
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chenin Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Drink 2023-2026 |
Food Matching |
Spicy food, mild and soft cheese, shellfish, and lean fish. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Elgin |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2023 Cape Heights Chenin Blanc
Regular price £9.29 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A fresh, dry Chenin with broad appeal.
Tasting Notes
This wine displays classic baked apple and zippy citrus aromas with soft, delicate apple fruit on the palate balanced by crisp acidity. Extended lees contact gives this great value wine some real weight and character, the barrel-fermented component adds texture and finesse too.
Production
This Chenin Blanc is sourced from vines grown on sandy loams over granite bedrock, the classic Cape soils type. No irrigation is used in the vineyards and very little crop control is needed due to the age of the vines naturally restricting yield. Part of the blend is wild yeast fermented and a tiny percentage in old barrels. The wine is left on fine lees for an extended period for greater palate weight and mouthfeel.
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chenin Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | White Wine |
Dietary Information | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
A great partner to grilled fish, chicken and salads. Wonderful with Cape Malay curries, spicy mango salads and brightly flavoured pan-Asian cuisine. |
Origin | Western Cape |
2022 Oldenburg Chenin Blanc
Regular price £22.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%This vintage of Chenin Blanc displays a stunning array of aromas and flavours!
Tasting Notes
Nose
Peaches and cream, gentle citrus pith, with hints of beeswax and honey. Burnt orange peel and vibrant notes of naartjie and ginger add to floral hues of jasmine and chamomile.
Palate
The palate shows ripe pears and naartjie, accompanied by an elegant hint of vanilla and chamomile. The mouth-feel is sublime, the acidity is zesty, and the fruit is incredibly balanced. Lovely notes of honey and baking spices linger on the finish.
Winery
At Oldenburg Vineyards we believe that great wines can only come from the best quality grapes. Our intervention in the vineyards is minimal to reflect the full potential of our mountain terroir. The Oldenburg Vineyards Series is a true expression of terroir through our range of single cultivar wines. The confluence of the 8 Natural Elements that determine our unique terroir is explored through these wines and their real sense of place. The 8 elements are depicted on the intricate Oldenburg Vineyards Series label design. Wines made in an uncompromising manner intending to showcase the finest characteristics of each cultivar.
Vinification
Grapes were picked by hand from cooler climate vineyards with an average age of 40 years. Bunches were sorted by hand and whole bunch pressed in a pneumatic press on a gentle Champagne cycle. The juice was settled overnight and then racked to Austrian oak Foudre and older fill 300L French oak barrels for spontaneous fermentation. The wild yeast fermentation took 2 to 3 months to complete. Partial Malolactic conversion was done on some of the batches.
11 months in 70% Austrian oak Foudre, 30% in Old French oak barrels
Vintage Conditions
Stellenbosch, in general, played host to a perfect winter, with steady cold units being accumulated through to the end of August with even rainfall throughout the winter. The good winter cold led to a particularly even bud break. Spring was cool and dry, which favoured the flowering and fruit set for the vintage. Good summer rainfall meant the vigour needed to be kept in check. Despite a relatively hot and dry ripening period, temperatures were kept moderate due to our higher altitude and ultimately led to an exceptionally good harvest with great sugar accumulation.
Accolades
- 93pts | Tim Atkin
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chenin Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.8 units |
Food matching | Goats cheese and apple salad topped with candied walnuts and a honey vinaigrette. |
Cellaring Potential | A wine that promises to reward those who choose to let it develop in the bottle for a further 8 – 12 years. |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Stellenbosch |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2022 Oldenburg CL White
Regular price £16.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Nose
This captivating wine captures attention and makes a confident statement, presenting itself as a gentle lemon hue in the glass. A divine citrus character persists on the nose, revealing an exquisite array of fragrances including invigorating lemon zest, delicate elderflowers, and enticing orange blossom. A subtle interplay of honey, luscious lemon curd, and a refreshing, mineral essence complements the aromatic profile.
Palate
On the palate, the fruit flavours shine, supported by a lively acidity that leaves the mouth pleasantly invigorated. Notes of white lilies, star jasmine, and a gentle touch of grapefruit pithiness, derived from a small portion of old vines, contribute to an enchanting tasting experience. The journey culminates with a nuanced vanilla finish that adds a delightful touch to the overall encounter.
Winemaking & Maturation
The Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc in this extraordinary blend is sourced from exclusively cooler climate vineyards that complement the name of the wine. 37% of the wine was matured in concrete eggs, and 67% was matured in older French oak barrels, ranging in sizes from 228L to 300L.
Vintage Conditions
The 2021 post-harvest period had cool and dry weather conditions, disease-free canopies, and an extended hang time for grapes. Adequate irrigation water allowed for reserve build-up. Banghoek experienced a favourable winter with steady cold accumulation and even rainfall, while spring was cool and dry. The growing season was wetter and cooler, slowing down ripening. Summer rainfall resulted in lush canopies, needing vigorous canopy management. Overall, the season maintained a slower pace despite a hot and dry ripening period.
The Range
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Equally impressive as the red. The fruit is of the orange, clementine, mandarin style. Amazingly fresh, clean acidity on the front palate, followed by a little minerality, finishing with a soft creaminess from some oak or lees influence. Fairly long palate, medium-bodied with excellent balance - a good pair of well-made wines. A pair that packs a punch at this price!
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 78% Chardonnay & 22% Chenin Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.8 units |
Food matching | These are a pair of classy wines that deliver poise and flavour to stand up to all manner of dishes and also drink perfectly on their own. |
Type | White Blend |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Stellenbosch |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2022 Marras Los Tros Chenin Blanc
Regular price £13.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Nose
This wine is bursting with aromatic notes of lemon, apricot and pear.
Palate
On the palate, stone fruit and pear skin flavour characteristics are complemented by a crisp acidity and a round mouthfeel with a refreshing finish.
Winemakers Notes
Marras is the small but mighty label by talented young winemaker Martin Lamprecht, who brings fresh ideas to his current home in the Swartland. This area is a melting pot for hot new talent and South Africa's leading region for liberal winemaking and experimentation. This Chenin Blanc was handpicked and spent 6 months ageing on its fine lees in old 300-litre barrels.
Vineyards
If you can talk to a grape, it will tell you that the Piekenierskloof region is the ideal spot for a tough top class wine-producing grape, as it’s exposed to extreme conditions. Piekenierskloof is the mountain pass between Piketberg and Citrusdal, over the Olifants River Mountains. With warm inland temperatures rising from the Swartland during the day and cool Atlantic sea breezes rolling in overnight, these grapes grow in a dryer soil with just enough water to produce grapes that add depth and complexity to every single sip.
The Region
The Swartland begins some 50 kilometers north of Cape Town and consists of the regions between the towns of Malmesbury in the south, Darling in the west, Piketberg in the north and the Riebeek West and Riebeek Kasteel in the east. It is so called because of the endemic Renosterbos that appears dark mainly when it rains in winter. The Swartland area is mainly known for wheat, but the crown prince in this area is the small concentrated berries of the vines that produce well-balanced and exceptionally ripe and deep-flavoured wines.
Alan's Personal Notes
"This is really good!! Warm rich stone fruits with wonderfully exhibitive mineral notes and fresh acidity to make it incredibly rich but perfectly balanced with great length and complexity!! Much better value wine than its cape cousins!!"
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Chenin Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Features | Vegan & Vegetarian approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Mezze, cold meats and salads |
Origin | Swartland |
Appellation | WO Swartland |
2017 Mac Forbes Wesburn Chenin
Regular price £40.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Amazing Chenin Blanc from Mac's final Wesburn release. A special wine.
Tasting Notes
Mac has chosen not to provide traditional tasting notes for any of his wines. His aim is that his wines hopefully capture vineyard life and vitality. As such the wines are constantly evolving. He believes that the only tasting notes that matter are yours!
The Wine
This is the final release of Wesburn Chenin Blanc. Mac feels that this variety matches perfectly with the Wesburn vineyard. It's a textural, flinty version of the variety. Immensely cellar-worthy and finely detailed.
On the list of the country's best Chenin Blancs, this sits in the top echelon. A phenomenal final release of this unique wine, Wesburn Chenin going out with a bang. This will unwind in the bottle for the next decade or more.
The Vintage
"2016 was a year that tested the vine and tested us. Ripening was condensed in a manner we have not witnessed and freshness came and went in a blink. So with all our picking crews working overtime, not to mention the staff in the winery, we went to work and didn’t stop until the last grape was squeezed to barrel. However, it is becoming very exciting that we have sites that can and do cope with such an array of seasonal challenges."
Alan's Tasting Notes
"This is really interesting. Fully dry but with a lovely, honey mouthful initially which gives way to a refreshing, mineral acid rich mouth feel. Oozes class, depth, and interest and I suggest this will develop well in bottle and continue to change its spots over the next few years."
About Mac Forbes
If you love premium and artisanal Australian wine, Mac Forbes is a name you need to know. He’s not only one of the country’s most talented winemakers, but he’s one of the most influential spokesmen for promoting the concept of Australian ‘terroir’, believing that wine should represent a time and a place.
Mac specialises in single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet from the Yarra Valley. His wines are delicate and finely etched, characterised by subtlety and grace.
His Pinot Noirs are fine-boned, Chardonnays are loved by those who look for fruit purity rather than winemaking artifice in the variety, his array of off-dry Rieslings from the Strathbogie Ranges are some of the country's most unique.
And his ever-expanding range of experimental wines is a treasure-trove for the curious drinker and he is honestly one of the most genuine and affable winemakers you'll ever meet!
Specifications
Year | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chenin Blanc |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 12.5 % alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Maturation | 9 months in old oak |
Cellaring Potential | Drink until 2027 |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Yarra Valley |
Appellation | Victoria |
2021 Dornier Moodenaarskloof Chenin Blanc
Regular price £17.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Bright, pale straw colour with delicate scent of wild flowers and fruit, especially Cape Honeysuckle. White peaches and pineapples with a delicate underlying minerality. The palate fully matches the nose with a creamy sensation and a texture that combines elegance and intensity and concentrated fruit flavours.
Vintage Conditions
Dornier is one of a select few wineries situated on the slopes of Stellenbosch Mountain. The Chenin Blanc vineyard used for the Moordenaarskloof is planted on the Keerweerder property on a site that has proven to be suited for making wines that express characteristics of quality and elegance. The vineyard was planted in 1986 at the foot of the Moordenaarskloof at an elevation of 230 metres above sea level. Although the plot is small it consists of three very different soil types that contribute to the complexity and many faces of this wine. The vineyard is also known for the natural balance between growth and yield displayed every year.
Fermentation & Aging
The grapes were harvested by hand during the cool mornings of early February. After gentle pressing of the bunches and cold natural clarification of the juice, fermentation was completed in old 300-litre French oak barrels. The wine was left on the lees until bottling as is unmistakable in the texture on the pallet. The wine was made with minimum interference to reflect the true character of the Moordenaarskloof vineyard.
Accolades
- Double Gold National Wine Challenge 2022 (2021 Vintage)
- 4.5 John Platter Stars
- 91 Tim Atkin Points
For all those wondering what 'Moordenaarskloof' means - it translates as 'Murderers Gorge' (there must be a story there!).
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chenin Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential |
Up until 2025 |
Food Matching |
Good as an aperitif or served with starters, seafood or cold white meat. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Stellenbosch |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2018 Chateau de Fesles Chenin Blanc
Regular price £12.99 Sale price £10.49 Save 19%Tasting Notes
Nose
It has an intense nose with dominant ferns, linden and elderberry.
Palate
The aromatic complexity is expressed on dried fruits, elderberry and toast. Very long persistence. Very nice taste balance, around a round and silky attack, with no noticeable acidity.
Vinification
After a manual harvest after two sorting, vinification in oak barrels of 400 liters, aged 2 to 4 years, for 1 month. Then aging on fine lees for 6 months, with a weekly batonnage.
Soil
Shale and Phtanite. This cuvée is made exclusively with grapes from the fabulous plot "La Chapelle", the most qualitative of the Fesles vineyard.
Alan's Personal Notes
''A fuller flavoured, bodied dry white wine. The 14% alcohol is a framework for the constituent parts to wrap themselves around. Lovely citric and elderberry fruits are supported by firm acidity and oak creaminess. Dry white Anjou at its best with a long life in it yet and look forward to it developing in bottle over a few years. A big bold white style with loads of flavour and structure. I now understand what they call Angevin sweetness - this has it in spades - the weight, body and depth of dessert wines without the sweetness. A strong challenge and alternative to big bold white burgundies such as Meursault, Montrachet". July 2023
Specifications
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chenin Blanc |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 2 to 4 years |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Will accompany very well fish in sauce, multiple shellfish grilled or cooked in court-bouillon, or white meat in sauce. Best served between 10 and 12 degrees. |
Origin | Anjou, Loire Valley |
Appellation | Anjou |
2019/20 Cape of Good Hope 'Riebeeksrivier Chenin Blanc'
Regular price £16.50 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Nose
Oatmeal, macadamia nuts and creamy stone fruit on the nose.
Palate
The palate echoes those flavours with its richness and breadth. Peach pip, nectarine and stone fruit are fresh and lively while the oak supports it in a well-defined cradle. Again oatmeal and nutty flavours are apparent but not overwhelming. The wine is powerful yet refined and structured. Nothing is superfluous and its perfectly proportioned with a long tail of flavour that ends with a delightfully pithy citrus twist.
The Riebeeksrivier farm is situated on the slopes of the Kasteelberg, overlooking the Swartland. Its unique terroir, especially the shale soils, expresses itself strongly in the wine with unique varietal characteristics. The bush vine Chenin Blanc vineyards, planted in 1988, yield fruit of great intensity and richness balanced by bright acidity and length.
In the Vineyard
The bush vine Chenin Blanc vineyards, planted in 1988, yield fruit of great intensity and richness balanced by bright acidity and length. A small 0.8ha bush vine vineyard (Clone 880) was planted in 2013, producing outstanding quality fruit used in the production of this wine.
About the Harvest
Fermentation occurred in both stainless steel tanks (65%) and French Oak barrels (17% new) and the wine spent 8 months on the lees before being blended and bottled.
In the Cellar
The grapes were picked at optimal ripeness and transported to the cellar in refrigerated trucks. Whole bunches were pressed and the juice settled overnight.
History
Anthonij Rupert Wyne was founded on the farm, L`Ormarins in Franschhoek. Originally owned by the late Anthonij Rupert, who passed away in 2001, the farm was eventually taken over by his brother Johann Rupert in 2003 and the brand named after him. It was Johann Rupert who constructed a state-of-the-art winemaking facility, catapulting the farm into a prestigious wine estate and the beginnings of what is now a sprawling enterprise.
The focus is on terroir specific wines and therefore it would seem obvious that the brand is made up of an impressive portfolio of farms representing the best in grape producing locations. The portfolio is made up of L`Ormarins situated in Franschhoek, Rooderust in Darling, Riebeeksrivier in the Swartland and Altima in isolated Elandskloof. Individually each site offers optimum varietal specific growing conditions, allowing Anthonij Rupert Wyne to adhere to the requirements of their different brands.
Specifications
Year | 2019/20 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chenin Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 5-10 years |
Food Matching | Perfect with White Fish, Soft Cheese, Seafood and Salmon |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Riebeeksrivier, Swartland |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2022/2023 Anthonij Rupert 'Protea' Chenin Blanc
Regular price £13.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Fresh enticing aromas of apple, white pear and summer fruits are supported by gentle floral notes that invite you in for more. The palate is clean and refreshing, with succulent flavours of white peach and kiwi fruit vying for dominance. Crispy apple, pear and nectarine flavours are also present and beautifully balanced with a firm, fresh acidity which lingers seamlessly in a long finish
In the Vineyard
About the Harvest
The wine spent time on the lees in stainless steel tanks, before being blended and bottled.
In the Cellar
The grapes were handpicked during the early morning hours at optimal ripeness and transported to the cellar. The fruit was both de-stemmed and whole bunch pressed and the juice was settled overnight. All parcels were kept separate and racked into fermentation with selected yeast strain cultures.
History
Anthonij Rupert Wyne was founded on the farm, L`Ormarins in Franschhoek. Originally owned by the late Anthonij Rupert, who passed away in 2001, the farm was eventually taken over by his brother Johann Rupert in 2003 and the brand named after him. It was Johann Rupert who constructed a state-of-the-art winemaking facility, catapulting the farm into a prestigious wine estate and the beginnings of what is now a sprawling enterprise.
The focus is on terroir specific wines and therefore it would seem obvious that the brand is made up of an impressive portfolio of farms representing the best in grape producing locations. The portfolio is made up of L`Ormarins situated in Franschhoek, Rooderust in Darling, Riebeeksrivier in the Swartland and Altima in isolated Elandskloof. Individually each site offers optimum varietal specific growing conditions, allowing Anthonij Rupert Wyne to adhere to the requirements of their different brands.
Specifications
Year | 2022/2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chenin Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Food Matching | Perfect with White Fish, Soft Cheese, Seafood and Salmon |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Paarl |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2023 Percheron Chenin Blanc Viognier
Regular price £8.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Nose
Vibrant and aromatic with subtle perfumed aromas, white peach and hints of jasmine on the nose.
Palate
On the palate it has tight, white, fleshy, stonefruit and fresh citrus flavours balanced by bright and lively acidity. A crisp, incisive finish with a touch of minerality helps deliver a delicious, flavoursome and characterful wine.
Alan's Tasting Note
"This is a delightful, cheeky wee white that delivers a lot of flavour for not a lot of cost. I get the jasmine notes but the fruit is more pear than peach to me. It’s unoaked but has a beautiful richness and length to the fruit that hides /balances the high acidity. As easy drinking as the red - a brilliant pair together."
Production
This wine is made of 80% Chenin Blanc and 20% Viognier. Grapes are grown on 30+ year old trellised Chenin and 15 year old Viognier in the Coastal region, mainly from Swartland vineyards. The climate is perfect for viticulture with the low rainfall summer months, tempered by cool afternoons and the cold winters allowing the vines to rest and to build up the reserves. Part of the Chenin Blanc is wild yeast fermented and kept on the yeast lees for as long as possible in order to achieve a rounded palate with good fruit concentration.
Producer
Boutinot South Africa is driven by our passion for discovery and desire to capture the real essence of South Africa in every bottle. It was the simple love of Loire Chenin Blanc that first led us to South Africa in 1994, where we pioneered the wild ferment style that has now been adopted by many producers in this region.
Since then we have been exploring the country's amazing vineyards to make fabulous wines from specific sites and plots that scream location, location, terroir.. Our home-grown South African winemaking team of JD Rossouw and Ryno Booysen drive the energy and enthuasiam for expressing the loveliest wines from their country, along with Samantha Bailey's expertise in finesse. The key is knowing the characteristics of each plot, understanding the benefits each cultivar can bring, breaking rules and pushing boundaries. We use a combination of knowledge, a love of nature and science to create versatile, expressive and food-friendly wines from a country that has been making wine for 360 years.
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 75% Chenin Blanc 25% Viognier |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
12.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.37 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Features | Vegetarian & Vegan |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Grilled prawns with plenty of garlic and chilli, whole lemon sole fried in butter and also delicate freshwater fish dishes. |
Origin | Swartland |
Appellation |
WO Coastal Region
|
2020 Metzer Montane Chenin Blanc
Regular price £29.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%100% Chenin blanc. A single-vineyard wine from a bush vine parcel planted in 1964. The vineyard is situated on the foothills of the Helderberg West Peak, South Africa.
Tasting Notes
Nose
The wine offers an understated bouquet that unfolds delicately in the glass, with hints of apple, hay and ginger spice.
Palate
The palate is well-balanced and offers more of a textural experience than overt flavours. It has a vibrant mineral core with a touch of citrus on the finish leaving a slight tannic grip after the wine has departed.
Winery
The guiding principle for Wade Metzer’s winemaking philosophy is that winemaking must always respect the fruit. To achieve this he uses non-interventionist principles; no mechanical interventions, indigenous yeasts and no fining or filtration. Many of his wines are Old Vine Certified, including this Chenin.
This wine is one of Wade Metzer’s two single site, Old VIne, Chenin Blancs – this one was planted in 1964 and is situated on the Helderberg foothills. While both are vinified identically, the wines are stylistically different, which really highlights the sense of place of each site.
Vinification
In order to preserve fruit integrity, the grapes were picked in the early hours of the morning. After pressing and a brief period of skin contact, the juice was transferred to a tank and allowed to settle overnight (without the use of settling enzymes). The settled wine was transferred to old oak barrels, in which fermentation occurred. 9 months of barrel ageing, on the lees without stirring, followed before bottling (after a coarse filtration).
Accolade
- 96 points | Tim Atkin
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chenin Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
12.9% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.68 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Cellaring Potential |
The wine delivers immediate drinking pleasure but will gain in complexity with further cellaring. Optimum drinking: 2022 – 2030 (8° C). |
Food Matches |
Delicate chicken dishes such as a chicken and leek pie will go beautifully with this wine. |
Origin | Stellenbosch |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2021 Beau Constantia Pas de Nom Creative Batch
Regular price £18.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Nose
The first aromas to leap from the glass are intensely citrusy and give way to delicacies of ginger and clove.
Palate
The palate is waxy yet grippy with a leesy weight and incredibly fine tannins that perfectly poise a tangy, tropical finish.
The 2021 Creative Batch (v2.0) is a blend of Chenin Blanc, Fernao Pires, Roussanne, Verdelho and Viognier, all treated differently to honour each variety’s individual potential as a wine. Once all the parts finished their different fermentations, they were blended together and allowed to mature on the gross lees for 9 months prior to being bottled.
This wine was only intended for a single vintage, but is back by popular demand and the 2021 has legs. It is bright and lively with concentrated fruit and a pithy finish that demands another dip. True to the vintage; it is notably fresher than the 2020 and will easily outlive its predecessor!
Winery
Some two decades ago, raging wildfires swept through an area of forest high up on Constantia Nek, leaving the slopes scorched and bare. When the fire had subsided, what was left was a brilliant and unique spot for planting a vineyard; 350 metres above sea level, with cooling ocean breezes and steep sun-bathed hills and so, like a phoenix, Beau Constantia rose from the ashes.
Sensing opportunity, Pierre and Cecily Du Preez acquired the 22-hectare property in 2002. With thorough soil analysis guiding their efforts, the inaugural vineyards were planted in 2003 under the careful guidance of farm manager, Japie Bronn.
The journey to establish vineyards on these challenging slopes demanded patience and unwavering commitment. Today, Beau Constantia proudly boasts 11.47 hectares under vine, a testament to the perseverance and dedication of all involved. Within these vineyards thrive a diverse range of varietals, including Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Shiraz, and Petit Verdot, each meticulously nurtured to capture the unique essence of this extraordinary landscape.
This boutique wine farm with just over 11 hectares under vine has utterly spectacular views over the peninsula. Megan van der Merwe is the Head Winemaker, having taken over from Justin Van Wyk in 2021, after serving as Assistant Winemaker during his successful tenure. Megan believes in 'farming to perfection - just don't stuff it up in the cellar!'. This very talented winemaker is certainly one to watch.
Each of their releases is a tribute to a member of the family.
Accolades & Awards
- Tim Aitkin | 91 pts
“This is the second vintage of Pas de Nom, a wine in which Megan van der Merwe marries skin fermented Chenin Blanc with 34% Fernão Pires, Roussanne, Verdelho and Viognier. Bottled under a crown cap to appeal to younger drinkers, it's funky and fun, with subtle wood, orange peel, quince and yellow apple flavours and plenty of natural acidity.”
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 66% Chenin Blanc, 15% Fernao Pires, 9% Roussanne, 7% Verdelho and 3% Viognier |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 12.23% abv |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.17 units |
Type | White Blend |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Constantia |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2020 Metzer Maritime Chenin Blanc
Regular price £27.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
Tasting Notes
The vineyard’s pure fruit quality radiates pear, white peach and lemon. Bright stone fruit follows through on the palate which is marked by a rich texture and a thrilling line of acidity. The wine has a persistent finish showing subtle hints of white spice and orange blossom.
Vinification
This Chenin Blanc has been fermented and aged as naturally as possible, without intervention and in search of an authentic reflection of its origin. The grapes were handpicked in the early morning hours to preserve fruit integrity. The fruit was then gently pressed after a brief period of skin contact. The juice was settled overnight without the use of settling enzymes and from here it was fed directly to French oak barrels (all seasoned oak) where fermentaion occured spontaneously. The wine was aged on its lees in barrel for 9 months, with no batonage. The wine was bottled after a coarse filtration in November 2020.
Accolades
- 95 points Tim Atkin
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"From a coastal Old Bush Vines but somehow it feels riper than the Metzer Montane (also Bush Vine but inland). Non-interventionist winemaking at its purest. Clean, fresh fruit, with a seam of bright acidity & salinity. Some complexity due to some time on lees possibly? No real oak Inuence but a perfectly drinkable fresh, clean, linear white with good fruit intensity and that interesting mineral salinity. Maybe a touch pricey at £24 but a good, well-made wine - nevertheless.
We had this with curry and the palate felt a little subdued but on it's own it’s showing really well with multiple layers, impressive fruit delivery and perfect poise & balance - with good, holding length."
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
100% Chenin Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13.4% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential |
The wine delivers immediate drinking pleasure but will gain in complexity with further cellaring. Optimum drinking: 2022 - 2027 (8° C). |
Food Matching | Serve with a seafood risotto or a mussel pot - white fish, hard cheese and pork |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Stellenbosch |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |