Ken Forrester The FMC Chenin Blanc 2018

Boss.

The current-release The FMC 2018 from Ken Forrester Wines works particularly well. The cuvée has always had a reputation for being a big and bold rendition of Chenin Blanc but what’s striking about this vintage is more the balance and intricacy.

Grapes from a 1974 Stellenbosch vineyard, it was fermented and matured for 12 months in new 400-litre barrels. The nose shows a hint of reduction before pear, lemon, peach and apricot while a note of honeysuckle reveals itself with time in the glass. The palate has a lovely fruit purity and freshness, the finish long and pithy. It’s hardly a lean, underdone wine (alcohol is 13% and RS is 7.6g/l) but all the different elements come together with real clarity. Wine Cellar price: R555 a bottle.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

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