Pakhuisdam Chenin Blanc 2021

André du Toit is a fourth-generation wine grape farmer, who lives on a property called Pakhuisdam in the Voor-Paardeberg, although grapes for his Chenin Blanc 2021 come from a vineyard some 40 years old in the Bovlei area of Wellington, neighbours being Welgegund and Mont Du Toit.

Tremayne Smith of The Blacksmith Wines handled winemaking, grapes 100% whole bunch pressed and spontaneously fermented before being matured for 10 months in old French barrels.

The nose shows cut-apple, yellow peach, spice and a little rancio character while the palate has good depth of fruit, tangy acidity and a particularly savoury finish. It’s a wine that succeeds on account of how full of interest it is rather than its precision – lots of flavour plus weight and texture but not too much so. Price: R180 a bottle.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

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