Stellenrust 53 Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2017

If you’re looking for a ‘Grand Cru’ Chenin Blanc with lavish richness, this 2017 is the real deal. Established in 1928, Stellenrust is one of South Africa’s most successful family owned wineries, with extensive vineyards. As with many Cape estates, Chenin is something of a speciality. But few estates lavish quite as much care on this Loire Valley favourite as this wine has enjoyed. First, the fruit is hand harvested from 53 year old bush vines from a top single vineyard. So quality and intensity are the finest. Then all the juice is fermented with wild yeasts in French oak barrels, both the wood and the wild yeasts adding many layers of complexity. Nine months on lees produces a creamy texture that makes the wine ideal with duck or salmon.