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.
May 7, 2018 - 92+. Lovely richness, honeyed notes. Nuts, Complex.
August 27, 2017 - Drinking really well still. Lovely complexity. Minerals, honey, spice.
April 29, 2017 - Still great. Oily. Citrus
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 ..
January 14, 2017 - lovely, complex, nutty, honey, some dried fruit / peel
December 22, 2016 - South African Chenin Blanc Tasting no.2: Fully ripe and matured profile, ripe quince, honey, ripe to overripe apple and pear, the palate follows the nose, high acidity, high notes of apple and quince, med+ body and finish, going downhill
November 20, 2016 - Honied, some richer (pear?) fruits. Some nuttiness. We balanced. Pretty long. floral. Lovely...
October 7, 2016 - Lovely complex chenin. Keeps drinking well. Citrus. Mild firm pear(?), Mineral. Floral. Long. Dry. Some tannin which also gives a welcome mild bitterness at the end.
April 25, 2016 - 90-91. These carefully crafted SA chenins are fab. Floral and citrus. Some richness and weight but still fresh. Well made