Old Road Wine Co. Stone Trail Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2018

Outlier.

There’s not much Chenin Blanc planted in Franschhoek, some 60ha out of total plantings of just over 1 200ha to be precise, but DGB off-shoot Old Road Wine Co. has secured access to a small block, some 35 years old, originally trellised but transformed into bush vines over time and unirrigated.

Previously known as Anemos but now going by the name of Stone Trail, the 2018 was matured for 12 months in a combination of mainly old oak as well as amphorae. The nose shows citrus, white peach and some struck match reduction while the palate is relatively lean and fresh with a pithy finish. Tightly wound yet possessing a dense core of fruit, this should reward time in bottle. Price: R345 a bottle.

Editor’s rating: 93/100.

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