South Africa's best Chenin Blanc
Tasting 126 Chenins at the Top 10 competition

In July 2014 I took part in the Standard Bank/Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge, held at Klein Zalze in Stellenbosch. 126 different wines were entered, and the panel of five, chaired by Cristian Eedes (pictured above), tasted all of them, and then retasted the top 32 wines to select 10 winners.

The winner's have just been announced, and the list is below. It created a few surprises, but these wines were all very impressive. Perhaps other wines would have won on another day: there wasn't an awful lot between these and the next 20 wines, all of which were really good. A diversity of styles is represented, which is a good thing, I reckon.

  • Bellingham The Old Orchard's 2013 (R95) – “Rich and ripe”;

  • Kleine Zalze Family Reserve 2013 (R141) – “Very stylish”;

  • KWV The Mentors 2012 (R160) – “Concentrated and pure”;

  • Perdeberg The Dry Land Collection Barrel Fermented 2013 (R73) “A powerful but well balanced wine”;

  • Remhoogte Honeybunch Reserve 2013 (R150) – “A good line of acidity ensures balance”;

  • Rijk’s Cellars Private Cellar 2009 (R130) – “A blockbuster”;

  • Simonsig Chenin Avec Chêne 2010 (R110) – “Really well executed”;

  • Spier Woolworths Private Collection 2013 (Woolworths price: R109.95) – “Totally seductive”;

  • Stellenrust 2014 (R44) – “Really flavourful”; and

  • Villiera Traditional Barrel Fermented 2014 (R94.50) – “Shows real finesse and balance”.

You can read my thoughts on South African Chenin, based on this tasting, here.

Below are are my own scores on all the wines, from the first round of tasting. I've checked the scores from the next round of tasting for the wines that got through, and there are some differences. That's only to be expected: factors such as presentation order come in, as does the internal state of the taster (we aren't measuring devices). But I figured I'd stick with the scores and notes from the first round.

It's interesting to see how my ratings differed from the overall panel results. I guess this isn't surprising when you pool ratings of wines tasted blind. The scores here are out of 20. I've included the scores of all wines, but I have only added my notes for those wines I rated 16.5 or higher.  

Don't take the low scores too seriously. This is blind tasting, and some wines have bad days, and some tasters have bad days. I thought it would be useful to share my results though.

Score        Wine
18

Rijk’s Cellars Reserve Chenin Blanc 2009
Lovely rich apple, cinnamon, toast and pear nose. Concentrated palate is dense, spicy, broad and very seductive with lovely pear and spice characters. Bold but lovely.

Alvi's  Drift Private Cellar Albertus Viljoen Chenin Blanc 2013
Distinctive ripe, complex with with a hint of vegetables and some citrus and pear fruit. Complex spiciness. A distinctive wine with lovely richness and balance.

17.5

Botanica Wines The Mary Delany Collection Chenin Blanc 2013
Lovely complexity here: rich, focused and spicy with tangerine and lemon notes. Nice pear and peach fruit, too, with good texture and weight.

Rudera Wines Robusto Chenin Blanc 2011
Rich, concentrated, warm and spicy with ripe apples, spice, cinnamon and pear fruit. Bold delicious style.

Welbedacht Wine Estate Old Bush Vine Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2010
Very appealing baked apple nose with subtle toast and peach. Concentrated, sweet, focused palate with textured pear and apple notes.

Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2013
Delicate tangerine and citrus nose. Rich and rounded, sweetly fruited palate shows lovely poise and balance.

Spier Woolworths Private Collection  Chenin Blanc 2013
Sweet, floral, delicate pear and peach nose. The palate is sweetly fruited with elegance and balance. This has a generous, seductive personality.

Remhoogte Wine Estate Honeybunch Reserve Chenin Blanc 2013
Very appealing almond, pear and peach nose. Rich, honeyed, spicy palate with nice weight. Fresh and vivid.

Dornier Wines Chenin Blanc Bush Vine 2013
Lovely taut grapefruit edge to the nose. Very focused and elegant. Pure, linear, classy palate with beautiful balance and purity.

Allée Bleue Wines Chenin Blanc 2013
Lovely balance and complexity. Ripe pear, baked apple and a hint of apricot. Fruit focused but with spicy depth.

17

AA Badenhorst Family Wines  Secateurs Chenin Blanc 2013
Lovely aromatics with fresh, crisp apple and pear fruit. Textured, fresh, generous palate. Nicely complex with rich pear and a hint of spice.

Ayama Wines Baboon's Swing Chenin Blanc 2013
Sweet honeyed nose. Distinct mineral, stony edge to the palate. Creamy pear fruit with lots of mineral personality.

Perdeberg Winery The Dry Land Collection Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2013
Ripe, grapey, honeyed nose with peach, pear and spice on the palate. Gorgeous ripe style with some fruit sweetness and a hint of reduction.

Kanu Private Cellar & Vineyards KCB Chenin Blanc 2013
Rich and intense with bold textured pear, peach and citrus fruit. Quite concentrated with real depth. Powerful but not unbalanced.

Cederberg Private Cellar Five Generations Chenin Blanc 2012
Powerful and ripe with a fresh, minerally, lemony edge to the dense pear and ripe apple fruit. Bold but balanced.

Rudera Wines Robusto Chenin Blanc 2012
Creamy, honeyed, toasty nose. Rich, layered, textured palate with sweet, rounded, honeyed fruit. Very stylish.

Stellenbosch Vineyards Credo Chenin Blanc Quattuor 2010
Rich and concentrated yet balanced with intense, warm, spice-fringed pear and peach fruit.

Rijk's Cellars Private Cellar Chenin Blanc 2009
Rich, sweetly fruited wine with ripe, spicy nectarine and pear fruit. More-ish. Sweet but in balance.

Raats Family Wines Raats Family Chenin Blanc 2009
Very appealing pure lemon and pear fruit with some melony richness and nice texture. Fresh and delicious.
Rudera Wines De Tradisie Chenin Blanc 2009
Toast, lanolin and herbs on the nose. Nicely complex with bright pear fruit and some rich texture, as well as a hint of apricot. Lovely broad style.

Spier Woolworths Siganture Chenin Blanc 2012
Rich and generous with hints of vanilla and coconut. Broad pear fruit with some peachy richness. Lovely weight and breadth.

16.5

Alvi's  Drift Private Cellar Signature Range Chenin Blanc 2014
Sweet pear and baked apple nose. Lively tangerine edge to the rich-textured, honeyed palate. Grapey and delicious.

Boschendal Wines Rachel's Chenin Blanc 2013
Fresh, textured and quite dry with herbs, apple and citrus, and a hint of spiciness. Nice balance and focus.

Ken Forrester Wines Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc 2013
Hints of tangerine, lemons and herbs as well as ripe pear fruit. Nice concentration and good length.

Donkiesbaai Donkiesbaai Steen 2013
Fresh with lovely ripe apple and pear fruit. Nice texture and balance. Very pleasant with citrus, pear and spice notes.

KWV The Mentors Chenin Blanc 2013
Stony, nutty, mineral nose. The palate is savoury and mineral with lively lemon and pear fruit. Distinctive.

Doran Vineyards Chenin Blanc 2012
Interesting mineral edge to the citrus and pear fruit. It’s even a bit gravelly. Some bright apricot and tangerine detail.

Bellingham Wines The Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2013
Rich and powerful but balanced. Spice, citrus, apricot and pear, with great concentration. An impact wine with a spicy finish.

Graham Beck Wines The Game Reserve Chenin Blanc 2013
Lively and intense with grapefruit, spice and lime. Real presence here: lovely fruit.

Longridge Wine Estate Chenin Blanc 2012
Creamy and warm with vanilla and coconut notes alongside pear and ripe apple fruit. Clean, stylish and drinkable.

Morgenhof Wine Estate Chenin Blanc 2013
Textured and ripe with apple and pear fruit palate. Nice weight and density. Fresh and fruit driven, and harmonious.

Fleur du Cap Chenin Blanc 2014
Delicate tangerine and pear nose. Textured, bright pear and spice characters on the palate. Well balanced.

Mulderbosch Vineyards Chenin Blanc Steen op Hout 2011
Textured and supple with bold, sweet, dense pear and apple fruit. Rich and bold with nice intensity.

Rudera Wines Lula Chenin Blanc 2011
Powerful with toast, caramel and vanilla notes alongside the rich, spicy pear and apricot fruit. Very bold and intense.

Simonsig Estate Chenin Avec Chêne 2010
Ripe, sweet, textured pear fruit with some honeyed notes. Good acidity and a bit of spice.

De Trafford Wines Chenin Blanc 2013
Powerful apple, melon, spice and vanilla flavours. Rich and textured with some warmth.

Star Hill Wines Chenin Blanc 2012
Creamy vanilla edge to the broad pear and apple fruit, with some spiciness. Nice breadth and weight.

Rijks Cellars Touch of Oak Chenin Blanc 2012
Delicate lemon/tangerine nose. Fresh, lively citrus palate. Open and fruity, with delicacy.  

Rudera Wines De Tradisie Chenin Blanc 2010
Whisky, herbs, ripe pear and peach on the nose. Broad yet fresh on the palate with vivid, spicy pear fruit. A very rich style.

Teddy Hall Wines Dr Jan Cats Chenin Blanc 2010
Herb, toffee and pear nose. Quite rich. Bold, powerful palate with vivid, spicy, toasty pear and peach fruit.   
16

Ayama Wines Chenin Blanc 2013 16

Delaire Graff Estate Old Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2013 16

Earthbound Organic Chenin Blanc 2014 16

DeMorgenzon Chenin Blanc Reserve 2013 16

Bosman Family Vineyards Optenhorst Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2012 16

Dewaldt Heyns Family Wines Weathered Hands Chenin Blanc 2011 16

Ken Forrester Wines Woolworths Tell it Like It Is Chenin Blanc 2013 16

Lutzville Cape Diamond Vineyards Diamond Collection Chenin Blanc 2012 16

Jordan Wine Estate Chenin Blanc 2013 16

KWV The Mentors Chenin Blanc 2012 16

Neethlingshof Estate Chenin Blanc 2014 16

Stellenrust Block 28 Chenin Blanc 2013 16

Oldenburg Vineyards Chenin Blanc 2012 16

The Winery of Good Hope Land of Hope Chenin Blanc Reserve 2012 16

Nederburg Wines Heritage Heroes The Anchorman Chenin Blanc 2013 16

Simonsig Estate Chenin Avec Chêne 2012 16

Teddy Hall Wines Dr Jan Cats Chenin Blanc 2011 16

Teddy Hall Wines Sybrand Mankadan Chenin Blanc 2012 16

Villiera Wines Chenin Blanc 2014 16

Uitkyk Estate Chenin Blanc 2012 16

Windmeul Cooperative Cellar Chenin Blanc Reserve 2013 16

Stellenrust 48 Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2012 16

Stellenrust 49 Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2013 16

Villiera Wines Traditional Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2014 16

Waterkloof Circumstance 2012 16

 

15.5

Nederburg Wines Heritage Heroes The Anchorman Chenin Blanc 2012 15.5

Du Toitskloof Winery Chenin Blanc 2014 15.5

L'Avenir Vineyards Single Block Chenin Blanc 2013 15.5

Kaapzicht Wine Estate The 1947 Chenin Blanc 2013 15.5

Opstal Estate Carl Everson Chenin Blanc 2013 15.5

Raats Family Wines Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2013 15.5

Perdeberg Winery The Dry Land Collection Chenin Blanc 2013 15.5

Raats Family Wines Original Chenin Blanc 2013 15.5

Vrede & Lust Wine Farm Casey's Ridge Kogelberg Chenin Blanc 2012 15.5

Rudera Wines De Tradisie Chenin Blanc 2012 15.5

KWV Cathedral Cellar Chenin Blanc 2013 15.5

Vrede & Lust Wine Farm Casey's Ridge Kogelberg Chenin Blanc 2013 15.5

Stellenrust Chenin Blanc 2014 15.5

Raats Family Wines Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2012 15.5

Kleine Zalze Wines Family Reserve Chenin Blanc 2013 15.5

Simonsig Estate Chenin Blanc 2014 15.5

Bellingham Wines The Old Orchard's Chenin Blanc 2013 15.5

Eenzaamheid Chenin Blanc 2012 15.5

Delaire Graff Estate Chenin Blanc 2013 15.5

 

15

Bergsig Estate Chenin Blanc 2013 15

Beaumont Wines Chenin Blanc 2014 15

Stellenrust Block 24 Chenin Blanc 2013 15

Nuy Wine Cellar Chenin Blanc 2014 15

Riebeek Cellars Chenin Blanc 2014 15

Graham Beck Wines Bowed Head Chenin Blanc 2012 15

Spier Signature Chenin Blanc 2014 15

Mulderbosch Vineyards Chenin Blanc Steen op Hout 2012 15

Ken Forrester Wines The FMC 2012  15

Lutzville Cape Diamond Vineyards Chenin Blanc 2014 15

Kleine Zalze Wines Vineyard Selection Chenin Blanc 2014 15

Leopard's Leap Wines Culinaria  Collection Chenin Blanc Grenache Blanc 2013 15

Beaumont Wines Hope Marguerite Chenin Blanc 2013 15

 

14.5 KWV Cathedral Cellar Chenin Blanc 2012 14.5

Mulderbosch Vineyards Chenin Blanc Steen op Hout 2013 14.5

Raats Family Wines Granite Blocks Chenin Blanc 2013 14.5

Simonsig Estate Exclusive Selection Chenin Blanc Sur Lie 2013 14.5

Babylon's Peak Private Cellar Dryland Bushvine Chenin Blanc 2014 14.5

Ken Forrester Wines Woolworths Chenin Blanc Reserve 2013 14.5

DeMorgenzon DMZ Chenin Blanc 2014 14.5

 

14

Beau Joubert Vineyards & Winery Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2013 14

Knorhoek Wines Pantere Chenin Blanc 2013 14

Super Single Vineyards Pella The Vanilla 2012 14

Windmeul Cooperative Cellar Chenin Blanc 2014 14

Jason's Hill Private Cellar Chenin Blanc 2014 14

Ken Forrester Wines Petit Chenin Blanc 2014 14

Maison Estate Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2013 14

Mooiplaas Estate Houmoed Chenin Blanc 2013 14

 

13.5

Remhoogte Wine Estate Honeybunch Reserve Chenin Blanc 2012 13.5

Tierhoek Chenin Blanc 2013 13.5

Arendsig Handcrafted Wines Rivergold Chenin Blanc 2013 13.5

Leeuwenkuil Family Vineyards Chenin Blanc 2013 13.5

 

13

Lutzville Cape Diamond Vineyards Diamond Collection Chenin Blanc 2013 13

Mooiplaas Estate Chenin Blanc  Bush Vine 2013 13

Arendsig Handcrafted Wines Inspirational Batch 3 2013 13

Cederberg Private Cellar Five Generations Chenin Blanc 2011 13

   

Wines tasted 07/14  
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