Revenge of the Crayfish Chenin Blanc 2020
By Christian Eedes, 24 May 2021
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And the “kreef” continues to have its vengeance. Sakkie Mouton caused a stir when he released an uncertified Chenin Blanc from Koekenaap grapes under the Revenge of the Crayfish label in 2018 to much acclaim from those able to get their hands on one of the 370 bottles made.
The 2019 was not certified either but the 2020 is although it is labeled simply as “Blanc” – I find it the most impressive of Mouton’s effort to date although I’m still inclined to think that an approximate retail price of R500 a bottle is a little cheeky for a wine with such a short track record.
Spontaneously fermented in old oak, the nose shows pear, peach, citrus, herbs, and a hint of reduction. On the palate, the fruit definition is strikingly clear while the acidity is racy and the finish long and saline. It’s a very well realized wine, elegant but also possessing plenty of detail.
CE’s rating: 94/100.
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Hennie C | 25 May 2021
Christian I find that comment about the price a bit odd. When Eben Sadie hit the market the first time with Columella it (nor him really) also didn’t have a track record and came in at about R500. Complaining about a R500 price tag on a wine you score 94 points is ridiculous.
Christian Eedes | 25 May 2021
Hi Hennie C, According to the May 2003 issue of Wine magazine, maiden vintage Columella 2000 had an approximate retail price of R390 a bottle which indeed put it quite far out in front of the pack, the next most expensive wines at the time being the likes of Boekenhoutskloof (R130) and De Trafford (R220). Is Mouton showing the same kind of audaciousness that Sadie did then? There’s a lot of very, very good Chenin to be had for less than R500 a bottle…
Hennie C | 26 May 2021
Is Sakkie as audacious as Eben? Who knows – but perhaps we should give him a chance? Your platform is forever lamenting how undervalued South African wine is, but then you criticise someone’s pricing? It isn’t as if he pulled a 4G or The. Cab Franc move.
R500 isn’t a lot of money in the local fine wine market anymore – especially not if you consider the volume this is being produced at. Other producers – Alheit, David Sadie to name but two – comes in higher at for their low production chenins. Are you complaining about their pricing?