
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.
Sight
Pale color depth, straw hue.
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.
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