DeMorgenzon Reserve Chenin Blanc 2022

Earlier this week, DeMorgezon announced of Anthony Sanvido as winemaker – he joined the Stellenbosch property in December 2019 working as assistant to first Carl van der Merwe, then Adam Mason, and most recently Alastair Rimmer.

To mark the occasion, a vertical tasting from 2005 to 2023 of the Reserve Chenin Blanc and if it demonstrated anything, it was that this has always been a powerful wine. Grapes are predominantly derived from a block planted in 1972 but in time younger blocks also came to be utilised. The currently available 2022 (price: R475 a bottle) was matured for 10 months in barrel, 20% new and has that accessibility that characterises many wines from this vintage.

The nose shows pear, peach and yellow apple plus hay, dried herbs and spice while the palate has good fruit purity, bright acidity and a dry finish. It’s full of flavour and not too tightly wound, offering good drinking from the get-go. Alc: 14.29%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

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