Strydom Danièle Chenin Blanc 2016

For a daughter.

With Rianie Strydom winemaker at Haskell Vineyards and husband Louis managing director at Ernie Els Wines, their respective credentials are well established and it is therefore comes as no surprise that their own wines under the family name are shaping well. The Rex 2014 rated 92 in the recent Prescient Cabernet Sauvignon Report, for instance, and the Danièle Chenin Blanc 2016 again impresses.

Grapes from a Helderberg vineyard planted in 1988, fermentation was begun in tank and finished in barrel, maturation in old oak lasting six months.

The nose is subtle but alluring with notes of dried herbs, pear, apple, peach, naartjie and just a hint of spcie. The palate is pure and fresh, the finish bone-dry. It’s precisely made, elegant and understated. Approximate retail price: R155 a bottle.

Editor’s rating: 91/100.

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