Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Chenin Blanc 2015

Ace.

During a lunch to celebrate the 20^th anniversary of Stellenbosch cellar Kleine Zalze, a change to taste the soon-to-be-released Family Reserve Chenin Blanc 2015. Grapes come from three sites in Faure and one in Devon Valley, the wine very much a blend but constituted by different vineyards rather than different varieties according to winemaker Alastair Rimmer, the wine matured for six months in old 400-litre barrels, total production 20 000 bottles.

This wine already has an impressive track record (see the review of the 2013 here) but the 2015 is spectacular. Pear and white peach plus hay, honeysuckle and fynbos on the nose while the palate shows extraordinary fruit purity and driving acidity before a little phenolic grip on the finish thanks to pre-ferment skln contact. Crystalline in structure. The 2014 is currently selling for R160 a bottle.

#WinemagRating: 95/100.

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