2018 Kleine Zalze Chenin Blanc Cellar Selection

Community Tasting Notes (2) Avg Score: 76 points

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  9/10/2019 - forceberry wrote: 76 Points

  Comes from bush vines grown in Stellenbosch and Paarl. The grape skins were cold-soaked in the must for 12-24 hours before moving the free-run juice to fermentors. Fermented in stainless steel, aged for 3-4 months on the lees. 13% alcohol, 3 g/l residual sugar, 5,9 g/l acidity.
  
  Limpid whitish-green color. Fresh, lively and slightly vegetal nose with subtly Sauvignon Blanc-like aromas of green apples, some quince, a little bit of cut grass and a hint of golden currants. The wine is ripe, broad and moderately full-bodied on the palate with flavors of quite sweet golden apples, some leesy creaminess, a little bit of zesty citrus fruit, a hint of ripe pear and a Sauvignon-like touch of white currant. The wine is moderately high in acidity - keeping the balance in check, but not really contributing much to the freshness. The finish is ripe, fruity and gentle with medium-long flavors of white currants, some sweet golden apples, a little bit of passion fruit and a hint of ripe gooseberry.
  
  An easy, fruity and soft Chenin Blanc that one can notice miles away that it is fermented with yeasts designed (cultivated) for Sauvignon Blanc. Honestly, if this wine was served blind to me, I'd think it's a mediocre Sauvignon Blanc. It exhibits no incisive acidity of Chenin nor the bright, lean and mineral flavors typical of the variety, but instead shows lots of ripe, sweet-toned fruit, somewhat modest acidity for the variety and slightly vegetal currant-driven flavors that really don't belong to a classic Chenin. Not really my kind of wine. At 10,98€ this feels pricey for the style.

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  2/22/2019 - Oenecnist wrote:

  Bought at a local restaurant recently for R130 (less than double local retail)--from its short but well-chosen list of relatively affordable local wines. Screwcap. Light green-gold; fragrant with some white peach and hint of honey with flavor to match; very good mouthfeel. This time, I agree with Platter's (2019) notes of "good value" and "hidden gem". My evaluation: I've stopped giving scores on a "100-point scale" as I've become less convinced that they can be meaningful to others. I use a 4-category scale (perhaps with +/-)--not including flawed--which runs outstanding/notable/drinkable/poor. I considered this outstanding- when considering quality, age, and price.

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