The rise and rise of Chenin Blanc
Prince Sydney, 40 Hansard Street
Tasted Saturday, February 22, 2025 by chatters with 93 views
Introduction
An opportunity to try a selection of Chenin Blanc from around the world was not to be sniffed at
Flight 1 (17 Notes)
Closing
Chenin has traditionally been considered a 'filler' grape in Australia - to offer acidity to bag in a box wines when coupled with colombard and a smidge of chardonnay. It's interesting to see what some of these producers are attempting to lend complexity here though, I must confess, I didn't really enjoy that many of the offerings on show.
2022 Damien Pinon Vouvray Tuffo
France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray
A little waxy citrus, slight honey, simple nose. Juicy, fleshy, a little textured burr, simple <shrugs>
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2024 Corymbia Chenin Blanc
Australia, Western Australia, Greater Perth, Swan Valley
Wild ferment and reductive, a little leesy, touch of citrus behind this. Medium plus intensity acidity, quite green bitter and hard. Nah.
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2023 Marri Wood Park Chenin Blanc
Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River
Earthy, herbaceous, lees, lemon and peel. Medium plus intensity acidity is mouthwatering, citrus is non delineated, touch of alcohol warmth on the finish is an unpleasant surprise. Nah.
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2021 Poppelvej Wines Chenin Blanc Blue Rose Case
Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Medium minus intensity aromas offer a little wax, muted citrus is in the lemon space with slight kumquat. Juicy tends to medium plus intensity acidity, slightly tart and green, citrus, but flavours are muted, leesy textured burr. Long. Hmm.
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2021 Bruno Dubois Saumur Blanc Les Perruches
France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur
Touch of wood glue, waxed lemon, slight herbaceous notes, acid is sharper than a 1000 folded katana but, at the same, flat and bitter. Unpleasant.
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2023 Domaine Patrice Colin Coteaux du Vendômois Pierre à Feu Flawed
France, Loire Valley, Coteaux du Vendômois
Wood glue, floor polish. Nose says "beware". Sour and vinegary on the palate. FLAW
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2022 Jean-Christophe Garnier Les Justices
France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Anjou
Apple, lemon, slight hay, meaty underpin, touch hoppy. More of the same on the palate which lends a flat sour beer quality, skinsy texture, finishes slightly bitter. Not for me.
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2022 Bodegas Forlong Vino de la Tierra de Cádiz 80/20
Spain, Andalucía, Vino de la Tierra de Cádiz
Medium minus intensity sour citrus, herbaceous underpin, sour and bitter on the palate. Nah.
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2022 Geyer Wine Co Chenin Blanc
Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley
Medium minus intensity aromas of waxed lemon, clean, simple nose. Medium plus intensity acidity lends a touch f tartness to the lemon citrus; touch of lemon peel and pith bitterness on the finish. Fair amount of wet stone texture. Non intrusive alcohol warmth. Interesting.
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2023 Craven Chenin Blanc Karibib
South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch
Medium minus intensity aromas of sour lemons, hops, grassy notes, slight volatility lends some sourness on the palate, bitter, pretty awful.
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2022 Avis de Tempête Cuvée 13 Flawed
France, Vin de France
Medium minus intensity aromas of wood glue, floor polish, wood glue on the palate. FLAW
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2023 CEP by CEP Anjou Blanc
France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Anjou
Low intensity aromas show a little non delineated citrus, lemon over mandarin with a touch of lime. In the mouth the medium plus intensity acidity is slightly sharp, plenty of textured here as well which persists long, feels a little dilute flavour wise.
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2022 Domaine Guiberteau Saumur Blanc
France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur
Waxy, very slight honey, tiny almost stone fruit note accompanies mandarin and lemon on the nose. Medium plus intensity acidity, citrus, lemon is in charge but with mandarin and unripe nectarine, savoury though. Long, slight non intrusive alcohol warmth, a little breadth. Pleasant.
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2024 Badenhorst Family Wines Chenin Blanc Secateurs
South Africa, Coastal Region, Swartland
Medium minus intensity aromas of citrus, hops and an almost leesy note. Initial fruit splash is surprisingly soft, fleshy, then a fair amount of bitterness. Nah.
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2020 Badenhorst Family Wines White Blend
South Africa, Coastal Region, Swartland
Waxy, slight stone fruit and citrus, herbaceous underpin. Fresh herbs. Like the Secateurs it's both surprisingly soft and bitter (though not as bitter) alcohol warmth intrudes here as well. Nah.
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2021 Alheit Vineyards Cartology Bushvines
South Africa, Western Cape
Waxed lemons, a little earthy underpin, touch of leesy notes. Fleshy, slightly rich, tangy, muted citrus, finishes slightly bitter but this adds complexity. Non intrusive alcohol warmth. Hmm.
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2022 Domaine Huet Vouvray Demi-Sec Le Haut-Lieu
France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray
Fresh grass, waxed lemon, slight sweet spice, bees wax. Medium tends to medium plus intensity acidity is offset by the residual sugar, muted citrus, surprisingly simple. Time will help but hmm today.
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