Kaapzicht Kliprug Bush Vine Chenin Blanc vs The 1947 Chenin Blanc 2016

Understanding “oldness”.

Do old vines matter? Fascinating to drink side by side Kliprug Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2016 (off a vineyard planted in 1982) next to The 1947 2016 (off the second oldest block of the variety in the country) from Stellenbosch property Kaapzicht, both very smart but the older vineyard providing extra depth and complexity. Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Kaapzicht Kliprug Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2016
Price: R151 a bottle
A top note of hay before yellow peach and apricot plus ginger, spice plus some yeasty complexity. Rich and broad with nicely coated acidity. Very flavourful.

Editor’s rating: 92/100.

Kaapzicht The 1947 Chenin Blanc 2016
Price: R400
The nose and palate that much more multifaceted than its counterpart above – a herbal top note before lemon, orange and stone fruit, subtle oak and pleasant yeasty quality. Rich but balanced – layers of flavour, punchy acidity and a pithy finish. A wine of contemplation.

Editor’s rating: 95/100.

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