2015 Reyneke, Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Bright and tight the all organic Reyneke Chenin Blanc is a biodynamic beauty with layered complexity and terroir character, from a single vineyard, with 50+ year old vines, grown in the Polkadraai Hills. Brilliant pale straw/gold in glass the 2015 has a mineral, citrus and lightly floral nose with a medium bodied palate of lemon/lime, kumquat, grilled grapefruit, white peach and faint honeycomb along with snappy herb and spice as well as a steely verve and wet river stones. With air a bit of yellow fruit comes through with a a waxy feel, but without question this wine is pure class and is exceptionally focused. A winemaker friend shared this stylish effort with me, since he is going to make he’s own version with this harvest and wanted to get a feel for this varietal, what a great pick to try, especially as the grapes he is considering are all biodynamic/organic too, and grown on ancient seabed. Less fruity and more old world in form, the 2015 Reyneke Chenin was whole cluster pressed and fermented in big French cask, mostly neutral and rested on it’s lees in barrel and then rested in tank before bottled, making for a wine that delivers a lot for the money, Reyneke is a winery to watch, every vintage seems to get better and better, I’ve really enjoyed their Syrah in the past too. Best to enjoy this 2015 Chenin over the next 2 to 3 years, though I’d expect it to do fine for 7 to 8 years too if I were honest, this is well crafted stuff, absolutely quality all the way.
($28 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive

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