Stellenrust 6-Bottle Tasting Set Chenin Blanc

One winery, one grape, six signatures

Stellenrust is among South Africa’s great Chenin Blanc specialists. The family winery, founded in 1928, owns some of the Cape's most valuable old Chenin vineyards in the Bottelary Hills and Stellenbosch, many of which are over 40 years old. This tasting set demonstrates how differently cellar master Tertius Boshoff interprets the same grape: from the unoaked, purist Naked Truth and the fresh classic, to the opulent Indecent Obsession, fermented in new oak with a touch of noble rot. Ideal for a Chenin evening to compare the impact of site, oak, and aging directly in the glass.

The six bottles in the set

• Stellenrust The Next Level Chenin Blanc 2022 From Parcel 25, a block of gnarled bush vines planted in 1980 on the southern slopes of the Bottelary Hills. A complex, idiosyncratic Chenin with ginger, baking spices, and dried apricot; lanolin and oyster shell on the palate. Firm, harmonious, and long.
• Stellenrust Stellenbosch Manor Chenin Blanc 2021 The barrel-fermented version from the Manor line, from older vines in Stellenbosch. Citrus, baked apple, and fine spice, carried by fresh citric acidity and a hint of vanilla.
• Stellenrust Naked Truth Chenin Blanc 2023 “Naked” because the wine sees no oak. From dry-farmed vineyards planted in the late 1970s on weathered granite. Distinct yeast notes, citrus, grapefruit, and peach; concentrated, with high acidity and a salty finish.
• Stellenrust Indecent Obsession Chenin Blanc 2023 The most intense and concentrated Chenin in the Stellenrust portfolio, from the same old block as Naked Truth. A small portion of botrytized grapes and fermentation in new French oak provide fullness, depth, and spice.
• Stellenrust Chenin Blanc B28 Fairtrade 2024 Fairtrade-certified since 2011, from old vines, barrel-fermented. Yellow plum, honeydew melon, peach, citrus, and fine vanilla; creamy with lightly toasted notes.
• Stellenrust Chenin Blanc 2023 The house classic and one of the country's best value-for-money Chenins, assembled from several old bush vine sites. Lime, tropical fruit, grapefruit, and pear; mineral and fresh.

At a glance: 6 bottles of 0.75 l each, white wine, South Africa, 100% Chenin Blanc, dry. Best served chilled at 8 to 12 degrees; serve the barrel-aged wines slightly warmer.

Vinification

• Stellenrust The Next Level Chenin Blanc 2022: 100% Chenin Blanc from a single site (Parcel 25, bush vines, planted 1980). Harvested at 22 to 24 °Brix, spontaneous fermentation in barrels over several months, followed by an additional month on the lees. Bottelary Hills, Stellenbosch.
• Stellenrust Stellenbosch Manor Chenin Blanc 2021: 100% Chenin Blanc from older vines. Spontaneous barrel fermentation, slow and extended, followed by several months on the lees. Stellenbosch.
• Stellenrust Naked Truth Chenin Blanc 2023: 100% Chenin Blanc from dry-farmed vines on weathered granite. Short skin contact, spontaneous fermentation, about seven months on the lees in stainless steel. No oak. Bottelary Hills, Stellenbosch.
• Stellenrust Indecent Obsession Chenin Blanc 2023: 100% Chenin Blanc from the same old block, with a small portion of botrytized grapes. Fermented in new French oak barrels. Bottelary Hills, Stellenbosch.
• Stellenrust Chenin Blanc B28 Fairtrade 2024: 100% Chenin Blanc from old vines on granite-rich soils. Barrel fermentation, a small portion of botrytized grapes for added depth. Stellenbosch.
• Stellenrust Chenin Blanc 2023: 100% Chenin Blanc from several older bush vine sites. Gentle vinification with spontaneous fermentation. Stellenbosch.

Pairs well with: Grilled fish, shrimp, oysters, chicken with cream sauce, pork tenderloin, pumpkin risotto, goat cheese, Gruyère, Thai curry, sushi, and Asian cuisine.