2023 Forager White (Chenin Blanc & Grenache Blanc)

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2023 Forager White (Chenin Blanc & Grenache Blanc)
2023 Forager White (Chenin Blanc & Grenache Blanc)
2023 Forager White (Chenin Blanc & Grenache Blanc)
2023 Forager White (Chenin Blanc & Grenache Blanc)

"An altogether glorious glass of wine - enough flavour to drink on its own but with interest, complexity and length that will complement lots of menu options. A lot of wine for the price." Alan Chapman

Traversing the beautiful vineyards of the Western Cape, I have the good fortune to often taste small and unique parcels of wine. Winemakers create blends to accentuate certain qualities or add complexity to a wine. Forager is one such blend, assembled from selected grapes each with its own special character, 'foraged' from various vineyards, barrels and batches to create a distinctive wine in which the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Tasting Notes

Colour

Light yellow-straw.

Nose

The nose is reminiscent of apricot, peach, and quince with hints of lychee and cardamom.

Palate

Citrus and stone fruit follow on the palate, rounded by subtle oak and punchy lime acidity. The finish is long and dry. Medium to full-bodied.

2023 Forager White (Chenin Blanc & Grenache Blanc)

Vineyards

Dryland vineyards in Paarl and Swartland, aged between 12-36 years. Various soil types, ranging from decomposed granite, shale, and alluvial soils.

Winemaking

The grapes were hand-picked with rigorous bunch selection in the vineyards. They were handled separately in the cellar, and only the free-run juice was cold-fermented with a selection of yeast strains to impart complexity. After fermentation, 40% of the wine was racked into a combination of 300L and 500L French oak barrels ranging from 2nd to 4th fill. The wine was given extended lees contact in the barrel for 3-5 months, after which it was racked, blended, and bottled.  

Awards

  • 2019: Best Value White Blend - Winemag, 90pt - Winemag, 4 Stars Platter
  • 2020: Gold  Gilbert & Gaillard - 4 Stars Platter, 92pt Winemag - Top 10 White blends, Winemag
  • 2021: Double Gold Gilbert & Gaillard - 4 Stars Diners Club 2023 - 91pt Winemag

Alan's Personal Tasting Notes

"I had kinda overlooked this when we tasted in South Africa (so much to taste) - but it’s beautiful. Stone and citrus fruits dance round a core of lovely complex, textural creaminess. Good balance & length make for a thoroughly decent glass of white - lots of interest, flavour and complexity." Tasted August 2024

    Specifications

    Year 2023
    Bottle Size 750ml
    Cultivar 78% Chenin Blanc & 22% Grenache Blanc
    Country South Africa
    Alcohol content
    13.6% alc vol 
    Units of Alcohol per Bottle 10.1 units
    Type White Wine
    Allergen Information Contains sulphites
    Food Suggestion

    Pair with wild mushroom risotto, Moroccan chicken tagine, or herb-crusted rack of lamb. 

    Serve below room temperature: 8°C to 10°C.
    Cellaring Potential

    This wine can be enjoyed now but will reward cellaring for up to 3-4 years.
    Additional Information

    Integrity & Sustainably Certified
    Origin Paarl & Swartland
    Appellation Western Cape