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Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge 2016 winners

By , 24 August 2016

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LogoResults of the third annual Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge, convened by the producer body known as the Chenin Blanc Association, are now out. There were 124 entries in total and the winning wines are as follows:

Allée Bleue 2015
Bellingham The Bernard Series Old Vine 2015
Boschendal Sommelier Selection 2015
DeMorgeznon Reserve 2015
Kleine Zalze Family Reserve 2015
Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Barrel Fermented 2015
Leopard’s Leap Culinaria Collection 2015
Perdeberg The Dry Land Collection Barrel Fermented  2015
Rijk’s Private Cellar Barrel Fermented 2013
Spier 21 Gables 2015

To read the tasting report in full, download the following: Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge 2016 results

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4 comment(s)

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    Kevin R | 28 August 2016

    Hi Christian,

    On the subject of best wines that you’ve tasted, would you be willing to disclose your favourite wine or handful of wines that you’ve tasted over the past decade (South African and not specifically Chenin)?

      Christian | 30 August 2016

      Hi Kevin, That’s just about an impossible question to answer – a bit like having to nominate my favourite movie or book of the last decade. Also, so much of wine appreciation is situational – the company, the food, the setting all having an influence on how what we make of a particular bottling. I’m lucky in that I get to taste some pretty sensational limited-release wines but then I also enjoy finding a bargain which becomes the “house wine” for a couple of weeks.

    Dave Child | 25 August 2016

    Hi Christian,

    I’d love to know what your Top 10 Chenin’s of 2016 are…
    I know there is much debate about the merits of Wine Awards and blind tasting setups – so I’d be curious to know how your taste matches up to this list?
    If that’s not too cheeky a request?!
    Thanks,
    Dave

      Christian | 25 August 2016

      Hi Dave, I would contend that there is nothing in the top 10 under 90 on the 100-point scale, but as panel chairman, I would say that, wouldn’t I? As for my personal top 10 of the year so far, you simply have to go to the ratings section on this site and sort by score, the list for the record being:

      97
      The Old Vine Series Skurfberg 2015
      96
      Alheit Vineyards Magnetic North Mountain Makstok 2015
      Alheit Vineyards Radio Lazarus 2015
      David & Nadia Hoe-Steen 2015
      95
      Kaapzicht The 1947 2015
      Kleine Zalze Family Reserve 2015
      94
      Arendsig Inspirational Batch 3 2015
      De Trafford Chenin Blanc 2014
      Gabrielskloof The Landscape Series Elodie 2015
      Patatsfontein 2015

      You will notice that a lot of the wines above are 1) made in very small volumes and 2) expensive whereas the average production of the winning wines in the Top 10 Challenge is some 25 000 bottles and average price is R122.20 which means not only can you get your hands on some but you don’t have to mortgage the house to buy them.

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