Chenin Blanc 2022 (Reyneke)

Cellar for up to 5 years. Serve chilled. The historic Reyneke estate in Stellenbosch dates back to 1863, but it was only in 1998 that Johan Reyneke started to make wine here after taking over the running of the farm from his mother. Reyneke is probably best known for being South Africa’s first certified biodynamic winery, and today Johan continues to farm the vineyards in the most environmentally-friendly way possible. This includes using ducks to naturally fertilise the vineyards and avoiding pesticides and herbicides. The property enjoys a stunning setting with dramatic mountains as a backdrop and stunning views from the vineyards looking over to the nearby False Bay. The grapes used for this wine are grown on the valley floor of a semi-arid and fairly hot area on loamy soils, providing ideal growing conditions for Chenin Blanc. Once in the winery the fruit is fermented using wild yeasts in stainless steel tanks to preserve plenty of aromatics and freshness. After 6 months of ageing on the lees the final blend is decided and the wine is bottled and released. The result is a creamy yet elegant Chenin with luscious notes of ripe peach, mango, apricot and zesty grapefruit which linger on the tongue. The medium body and smooth texture make this a great wine to serve with mature cheeses, creamy pasta dishes, or roast chicken.