KWV The Mentors Chenin Blanc 2018

V12.

The Mentors Chenin Blanc 2018 from KWV is nothing if not intense. Grapes from Paarl, 87% underwent spontaneous fermentation while the rest was inoculated to “ensure optimal cultivar-derived fruit flavours”. Maturation, meanwhile, lasted nine months in a combination of first, second- and third-fill 500-litre barrels.

The nose shows a pronounced waxy note as well as citrus and stone fruit plus hints of vanilla and spice while the palate is very rich and full – dense fruit offset by tangy acidity. The winemaking team have held nothing back (a quite extraordinary analysis as follows: Alc: 14.07%, RS: 2.03g/l, TA: 7.42g/l and pH 2.9) and it certainly won’t leave you indifferent. Price: R130 a bottle.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

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