KapWeine - Experience Set - Chenin Blanc 2

Six Chenins, six signatures

Chenin Blanc is South Africa’s flagship variety, and hardly any other grape at the Cape shows as many faces. This experience set brings together six interpretations from Stellenbosch, the Swartland, and the Piekenierskloof: from the tiny single vineyard of Thistle & Weed to the heritage Chenins from Kleine Zalze and Stellenrust, all the way to the old Swartland bush vines of Wolf & Woman and Boekenhoutskloof. Also included is the Donkiesbaai Steen, crafted as a companion to freshly grilled crayfish. Sometimes taut and salty, sometimes creamy and opulent: a set to discover the entire spectrum of the variety in one evening, and a wonderful gift for white wine lovers.

The six bottles in the set

• Thistle & Weed Brandnetel Chenin Blanc 2022 Stephanie Wiid and Etienne Terblanche name their wines after the plants found between the vines. "Brandnetel" is the stinging nettle, both defensive and healing. The wine comes from a mere 0.3-hectare parcel on the Simonsberg, which was planted in 1980 as a trial field with over 30 different rootstocks. Compact, concentrated, and multilayered, with spices, lemon butter, and yeast notes, racy acidity, and an almost salty finish. Tim Atkin 96 points.
• Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Chenin Blanc 2023 The top cuvée from Kleine Zalze, the largest producer of heritage Chenin in Stellenbosch, made only from the best plots of old bush vines. White peach and citrus zest, restrained power and distinct minerality, with a long, fresh finish.
• Stellenrust Indecent Obsession Chenin Blanc 2023 The most intense and concentrated Chenin in the Stellenrust portfolio, from old vines in the Bottelary Hills. A small proportion of noble rot grapes and fermentation in new French oak provide fullness, depth, and spice.
• Donkiesbaai Steen 2024 "Steen" is the old Afrikaans name for Chenin Blanc, Donkiesbaai the bay on the west coast where the family of Jean Engelbrecht (Rust en Vrede) has spent their holidays for generations. Apple and quince, candied lemon peel, pineapple, honeysuckle, beeswax, and shortcrust pastry, with vibrant acidity and a rich texture.
• Wolf & Woman Chenin Blanc 2023 Jolandie Fouché grew up in the Swartland and founded Wolf & Woman in 2019 to capture the magic of her home's old vines. From four dry-farmed bush vine sites planted between 1968 and 1981, three of them on the Paardeberg. Blossoms, citrus, lime, and stone fruit; dense, textured, and with balanced acidity. Tim Atkin 96 points.
• Boekenhoutskloof Patina Chenin Blanc 2023 From the Patina line by Boekenhoutskloof, from a single vineyard on the southwestern slopes of Kasteelberg in the Swartland. Exotic fruit and floral notes, full, round, and mineral, with lively acidity and a long, refreshing finish.

At a glance: 6 bottles of 0.75 l each, white wine (Chenin Blanc), South Africa, dry. Best served at 10 to 12 degrees Celsius; the more full-bodied wines are well-suited to a larger glass.

Vinification

• Thistle & Weed Brandnetel Chenin Blanc 2022: 100% Chenin Blanc from dry-farmed bush vines (planted 1980) at approximately 300 m above sea level. Whole-bunch pressing, spontaneous fermentation in old 225-liter French oak barrels, nine months on the fine lees, unfined and unfiltered. Only about 150 cases. Stellenbosch (Simonsberg).
• Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Chenin Blanc 2023: 100% Chenin Blanc from certified heritage bush vines on weathered granite from several Stellenbosch sites. Plots harvested separately, skin contact before clarification. Fermentation in 400-liter French oak barrels, terracotta amphorae, and concrete eggs. No new oak. Stellenbosch.
• Stellenrust Indecent Obsession Chenin Blanc 2023: 100% Chenin Blanc from an old block, with a small portion of noble rot grapes. Fermentation in new French oak barrels. Bottelary Hills, Stellenbosch.
• Donkiesbaai Steen 2024: 100% Chenin Blanc from non-irrigated bush vines on deep sandy soils, about 80 km inland from the west coast. Several components, fermented in stainless steel, French oak, concrete eggs, and clay amphorae, partly aged on the lees, partly barrel-aged. Piekenierskloof.
• Wolf & Woman Chenin Blanc 2023: 100% Chenin Blanc from bush vines, about 70% on weathered granite on the Paardeberg and 30% on iron-rich shale near Malmesbury, yield approx. 4 t/ha. Whole-bunch pressing, spontaneous fermentation in used 500-liter demi-muids (70%) and one concrete egg (30%), ten months on the fine lees. Swartland.
• Boekenhoutskloof Patina Chenin Blanc 2023: 100% Chenin Blanc from a single vineyard on the southwestern slopes of Kasteelberg. Swartland.

Pairs well with: Grilled crayfish, oysters, scallops, grilled fish, roast chicken, pork tenderloin, Thai curry, bobotie, risotto, goat cheese, Gruyère, and Comté.