August twenty sixth – A few of the most influential palates on this planet of wine will likely be tasting this 12 months’s Customary Financial institution Chenin Blanc Prime Ten Problem winners when worldwide consumers, critics, and the media go to the nation this spring. The plan is for them to expertise the trailblazing dynamism that’s animating South African Chenin winemaking, in line with the organisers of the competitors, the Chenin Blanc Affiliation.
Talking on behalf of the Problem’s 5 judges, panel chair James Pietersen mentioned the successful line-up was arguably emblematic of the nation’s greatest in Chenin winemaking. “A really numerous group of wines, collectively they replicate a mix of innovation, achieved experimentation and altogether, dextrous, and imaginative winemaking. Even higher than final 12 months’s excellent ten winners, they make us pleased with the story they inform concerning the vitality and creativity coursing via our trade.”
Submissions have been judged blind in opposition to critically acclaimed non-entrants to make sure the panel was score them throughout the broadest potential context of the trade’s greatest examples.
“The highest ten wines will assist South Africa to place its greatest Chenin face ahead when they’re tasted on the time of each CapeWine 2022, the triennial exhibition for the worldwide commerce and critics in October, after which once more on the multi-disciplinary Chenin Blanc Worldwide Congress in November.”
The nation has extra Chenin rising than anyplace else on this planet mixed and is internationally considered its largest champion. South Africa can be thought-about to have pioneered a brand new technology of authentic and versatile types, inspiring others the world over to seek out their very own distinctive expressions.
“Chenin’s demonstrable local weather resilience has just lately made it a renewed favorite in France’s Loire Valley from the place the grape comes, in addition to in different wine-producing international locations which are having to cope with climbing temperatures,” Pietersen mentioned.
“Amongst the 137 wines submitted, we noticed even higher stylistic daring and variety than beforehand. We encountered fruit from newer wine-growing areas, the higher use of pores and skin contact, of pure fermentation, in addition to a higher willingness to work with a greater diversity of fermentation and ageing vessels. The outcomes have been spectacular.
“Virtually two-thirds of the entries have been wooded, however this distinction appears much less related now that so many entrants are opting not only for much less new wooden however for previous and enormous oak, for amphorae, stainless-steel, concrete tanks, and egg-shaped vessels. The varied mixtures of maturation vessels they make use of simply carry on including new ranges of nuance and complexity.”
He mentioned previous vines predominated throughout the successful wines, with many of the vineyards at the very least 30 years’ previous and, in a single instance, 70 years’ previous. “However there have been youthful vines too, of eight and ten years, maybe reflective of extra thought-about wine-growing methods utilized in latest occasions.
“Whereas Stellenbosch was the supply of 4 of the ten successful wines, fruit this 12 months additionally got here from Tygerberg, Swartland, Worcester, Piekenierskloof, Tulbagh and Wellington.”
There have been 4 newcomers to the successful line-up this 12 months, produced by Nabygelegen Personal Cellar in Wellington, Piekenenierskloof Wine Firm in Citrusdal, Rascallion Wines, a negociant based mostly in Stellenbosch however sourcing broadly, and Stellenbosch Vineyards.
The Customary Financial institution Chenin Blanc Prime 10 Problem winners, listed alphabetically, are:
- Alvi’s Drift Personal Cellar 221 Chenin Blanc 2021
- Kaapzicht Wine Property Kliprug Chenin Blanc 2021
- Nabygelegen Personal Cellar Chenin Blanc 2021
- Piekenierskloof Wine Firm Bergendal Chenin Blanc Outdated Vine 2021
- Rascallion Devonian Chenin Blanc 2021
- Rijk’s Cellar Contact Chenin Blanc 2020
- Spier Wines Seaward Chenin Blanc 2021
- Stellenbosch Vineyards Bushvine Chenin Blanc 2021
- Stellenrust Wine Property Stellenbosch Manor Fermented Chenin Blanc 2020
- Stellenrust Wine Property Outdated Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2021
Stellenrust has featured on each Prime Ten record for the reason that inception of the problem in 2014, making this its ninth consecutive win. That is the eighth time Spier has appeared, the fourth time for Rijk’s Cellar, and the second for Alvi’s Drift.
Ken Forrester, co-founder and chair of the Chenin Blanc Affiliation mentioned: “What isn’t a surprise is that requirements proceed to rise. As a gaggle, native winemakers are regularly upping their sport. Their Chenin fervour galvanises them to maintain on striving tougher. What’s shocking, nonetheless, is that so many entrants have been in a position to rise above the harrowing pressures and constraints of the pandemic and provides of their greatest to Chenin. That tells you one thing about their prowess and bravado.”
The competitors awards a money prize to every of the producers of the ten greatest Chenins chosen yearly. A situation of the competitors is that the cash have to be used in the direction of enhancing the standard of lifetime of farm employees and/or their communities.
Stephan van der Merwe, Head of Business Purchasers at Customary Financial institution within the Western Cape, mentioned: “As sponsors, we see this function as a necessary a part of the problem. Up to now, R2,1m has been directed in the direction of farm employee neighborhood tasks. The prize cash offers tangible acknowledgement to farm employees of their position in making award-winning wines.”
TASTING NOTES: STANDARD BANK CHENIN BLANC TOP 10 CHALLENGE 2022
Alvi’s Drift Personal Cellar 221 Chenin Blanc 2021
A beautiful introduction of jasmine fragrance and different florals announce this wine, adopted by an array of tropical fruit. An in depth palate of distinguished linear acidity, displaying fairly fruit, adopted by savoury sub-notes.
Kaapzicht Kliprug Chenin Blanc 2021
Elegant and shy to begin, the nostril slowly unfurls to introduce notes of pineapple with enticing oak spice. A palate of tart yellow fruit with a juicy mid-palate and creamy oak-lined end.
Nabygelegen Personal Cellar Chenin Blanc 2021 (Debut)
Recent lemons, notes of hay, white fruit, freshly reduce pear and nectarine result in a exact and coiled palate. Because the wine opens up, it reveals an attractively bitter edge to steadiness the deep fruit depth.
Piekenierskloof Wine Firm Bergendal Chenin Blanc Outdated Vine 2021 (Debut)
Oak notes of vanilla, baking spice and cedar, help concentrated fruit with citric acid vibrancy and great depth. It is a highly effective wine providing an enduring, lingering fruit depth.
Rascallion Wines The Devonian Chenin Blanc 2021 (Debut)
A vigorous introduction of energetic summer season lemon/lime blossom, shiny stone fruit, ripe bosc pear and an inviting nougat-like complexity results in a layered, advanced and recent palate with good focus and a pithy steadiness.
Rijk’s Contact Chenin Blanc 2020
Damp hay, ripe tropical fruit, and dried pineapple notes introduce an apple and pear mixture on the palate with ripe orange depth and a tangy oak-licked send-off. Medium to full bodied in type.
Spier Seaward Chenin Blanc 2021
An upfront vibrant melange of pink and inexperienced apple, fruit basket fragrance and summery brightness result in a sublime palate. Outlined, on-point acidity, supported by restrained, considered use of oak. Pretty steadiness and lingering mouthfeel.
Stellenbosch Vineyards Bushvine Chenin Blanc 2021 (Debut)
Initially shy with an oak overlay of cedar, spice and comforting vanilla, the nostril unveils typical stone fruit and honey blossom. An invigorating lemon-spiked, gentle, and nimble palate with a well-integrated and a chalky chiselled acidity to complete.
Stellenrust Wine Property Stellenbosch Manor Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2020
Engaging reductive notes open on to a number of billowing fruit. A full-fruited palate, displaying fruit density balanced by oak and tremendous acidity.
Stellenrust Wine Property Outdated Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2021
Barely old style in type, with a number of freshly buttered marmalade toast and ripe tangy citric complexity. A creamy, textured palate with oak-lined mandarin send-off.
