Community Tasting Notes 11

• JVG wrote:

  February 26, 2019 - Medium gold color. Wow—an intoxicating nose, deep and layered, appetizing and savory but also spiced and rich. Actually what it smells most like to me is Champagne. Really good Champagne with both vinous and autolytic notes, with some well-aged wine in the blend. Not sure how or why, but that’s what it reminds me of. It’s actually hard to pinpoint specific notes, although there’s definitely both tropical and citrus fruit and some sweet cinnamon spice and that almost-vinegary-but-also-appetizing smell of old wine and old barrels that you get in a wine cellar. Oh my god—just as good if not better on the palate. Very rich and luxurious, with a smooth but viscous, heavy-silk texture. Ripe tropical fruit but also citrus that combines freshness and concentration like oil from a tangerine or orange rind. Underneath, there’s the same spice and old-cellar savoriness from the nose, with some mineral bite and a slight chalky bitterness that cuts through the richness. The finish goes on and on and on with the fruit and mineral. Stunning.
  
  This is one of the most surprising bottles of wine I’ve ever had in my life. If I tasted it blind, I’d have absolutely no idea what it is—it makes me think of excellent white Burgundy with some age, except it’s heavier and not acidic enough. Or fine Champagne except heavier and without bubbles. Or white Hermitage but more savory and mineral. Etc. But never would I even consider the possibility that it was a ~$20 South African chenin blanc. It’s a magnificent wine, and probably the best value of any bottle I’ve ever experienced. And I bet it will keep getting better and more interesting for at least another decade. I’m so sad I only had this one bottle.

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• pcwoz Likes this wine: 92 points

  May 7, 2018 - 92+. Lovely richness, honeyed notes. Nuts, Complex.

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• pcwoz Likes this wine:

  August 27, 2017 - Drinking really well still. Lovely complexity. Minerals, honey, spice.

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• pcwoz Likes this wine: 92 points

  April 29, 2017 - Still great. Oily. Citrus

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• fedro Likes this wine: 91 points

  February 10, 2017 - always a pleasure - would have loved to leave this alone for a couple more years, but temptation was too strong. It developed since last bottle a year or so ago. Not as floral, but with better oiliness and depth. Can be left in the cellar for a few more years too ..

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Pro Reviews 1

Wine Definition

• Vintage 2012
• Type White
• Producer Botanica
• Varietal Chenin Blanc
• Designation Mary Delany Collection
• Vineyard n/a
• Country South Africa
• Region Olifants River
• SubRegion Citrusdal
• Appellation n/a
• UPC Code 6009802018095

Community Holdings

• Pending Delivery 0 (0%)
• In Cellars 103 (79%)
• Consumed 28 (21%)

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