Arendsig Inspirational Batch 3 Chenin Blanc 2015

By , 11 April 2016

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4

Arendsig Inspirational Batch 3 Chenin Blanc 2015

Wild child.

Whereas Lourens van der Westhuizen of Arendsig used to source grapes from Rawsonville for the Chenin Blanc he made under the Inspirational Batch 1 label, he utilised a Robertson vineyard for the 2015 and the wine is now signified as Inspirational Batch 3.

Unapologetically oxidative in style (spontaneous fermented and matured for 10 months in a combination of 300- and 500-litre barrels), the wine shows yellow apple and pineapple, nuts, spice and appealing rancio character. It’s rich and broad with great depth of flavour but equally not at all listless thanks to tangy acidity. A very smart effort. Approximate retail price: R143 a bottle.

#WinemagRating: 94/100.

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    Colyn Truter | 10 May 2016

    Kwispedoor…as all the Arendsig wines are Single Vineyard Certified he is not allowed to use anything outside of each block to blend. in 2012 and 2013 we made the Chenin from Rawsonville grapes, but to keep everything in the Robertson Valley we made the 2015 from Rivergold which is the neighbouring farm. There are other Chenin sites in Robertson we have looked at which shows promise..but babysteps for now!

    Kwispedoor | 10 May 2016

    Sounds good. We drank a bottle of the Rivergold 2010 over the weekend and it was delicious. I’m sure Lourens is refining this wine nicely as he goes along – lekker!

    Kwispedoor | 10 May 2016

    I had meant to ask you, Christian: do you know if Lourens is including grapes from the vineyard that was used for the Rivergold Chenin Blanc 2010 in this wine nowadays? If not, what is he using it for?

      Christian | 10 May 2016

      Hi Kwispedoor, Grapes for the Arendsig 2015 are indeed from the Rivergold property. I tasted it again yesterday and it really is knock-out.

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