2013 Zevenwacht Wine Estate Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc

4g

Summer time is a time I tend to drink White and Rosé wines.  When it is warm outside I like the cool crisp wines.  The big bold reds are more filling like a heavy beer.

When we spent a month in South Africa I fell in love with a barrel fermented Chenin Blanc.  We had the opportunity to try many Chenins including a Chenin Blanc from 1973.  The 1973 Overgaauw Wine Estate Chenin (then called Steen) was age worthy and beautiful.  If you get an opportunity to try a Chenin from South Africa please try it.  I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have.

IMG_2924

Sight
Pale color depth, straw hue.

IMG_2928

Smell
Aromatic, young-fruity with aromas of tropical fruit.

Taste
Dry, medium-bodied with crisp acidity.  Great flavors with a long finish.

Region/Appellation: Stellenbosch, South Arica.

ABV: 14.0%

How Much: $15.00

How it was made:  The partially shaded fruit (30% of the blend) was tank fermented at a cool fermentation temperature, hovering around 13° – 14° C.  This helped to express the ripe tropical fruit character of the variety.  The balance (70%) was barrel fermented and aged for 8 months on the lees (dead yeast) to add complexity and rich mouth-feel of the wine.  Thereafter both components were blended.

I rated the 2013 Zevenwacht Wine Estate Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc four glasses.

Life is too short to drink crappy wine.  Expand your palate and keep trying.

facebook button Facebook.com/BillsWineWandering

twitter @BillsWineWander

Related