Opstal current releases

Over the past decade or so, Chenin Blanc has become the main focus at Breedekloof property Opstal, with Carl Everson as the standard-bearer. From the 2022 vintage, two new bottlings – Eenvoud and Bergsteen – were introduced as part of the Single Site Series, created to showcase the variety across different soils and altitudes. Made in small batches and matured in vessels chosen to best express origin, these wines are intended to further underline how naturally Chenin belongs in this part of the world. Tasting notes and ratings for current and upcoming releases as follows”

Carl Everson Chenin Blanc 2023
Price: R270
From a vineyard planted in 1982. A small skin-fermented component included. Matured for 10 months in older barrels, foudre and concrete. Subtle top notes of honeysuckle and hay, then peach and citrus. The palate shows pure fruit and bright acidity, the finish gently savoury. Focused and energetic, yet not without breadth. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Carl Everson Chenin Blanc 2024
Not yet released.
That much more primary on the nose – quince and guava to go with floral perfume, hay, citrus and peach. The palate is clean and suitably fresh, the finish nicely dry. Good weight and texture without being too showy. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Eenvoud Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2023
Price: R500
From the Carl Everson vineyard. Matured entirely in 3000-litre foudre. A leesy note precedes pear, yellow peach and cut apple. The palate has real presence – rich and textured with well-integrated acidity and a savoury, slightly bitter finish. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Eenvoud Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2024
Not yet released.
Matured entirely in concrete. Citrus, peach and herbs with a touch of leesy complexity on the nose. The palate appears a little leaner and fresher than the previous vintage, showing good fruit definition, bright acidity and plenty of flavour, the finish saline. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Bergsteen Single Barrel Chenin Blanc 2023
Price: R500
From a vineyard planted in 2006 at 365m above sea level, the highest on the farm. Matured for 10 months in old oak. The nose shows subtle notes of pear, peach, green apple and talcum powder on the nose while the palate is delicate with pure fruit and fresh acidity before a pithy finish. Alc: 13.28%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Bergsteen Single Barrel Chenin Blanc 2024
Not yet released.
Enchanting aromatics of floral perfume, fynbos, lime and white peach. The palate is wonderfully harmonious – a dense core of fruit matched by vibrant acidity before a dry finish. Linear and precise, a wine of particular refinement.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

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