BUYING GUIDE - Wine Enthusiast Magazine

91
de Trafford 2009 Chenin Blanc (Stellenbosch).
An elegant and refined Chenin that
shows superb balance and the potential to age gracefully
for another five years, at least. Lush and rich, this has
a smooth texture and a round but lifted palate. Aromas
and flavors of baked apple and toast are layered with
sweet citrus and honeyed richness. The long, strong finish
leaves sultry sweet spice and nutty accents behind.
Boutique Wine Collection. —L.B.
abv: 15% Price: $29
91
Morgenhof 2010 Estate Chenin Blanc (Simonsberg-Stellenbosch).
A stunning wine,
with great balance and layers of flavor. Baked apple,
melon, honeysuckle and delicate fynbos notes dance
on the nose and palate, with a toasty thread that ties
it all together. A peach-pit nuttiness remains throughout
the long finish. Delicious now, but should age nicely
through 2015. Terry Seitz. Editors’ Choice. —L.B.
abv: 14% Price: $19
91
Remhoogte 2010 Honeybunch Reserve
Chenin Blanc (Stellenbosch). A gorgeous,
single-vineyard Chenin Blanc that shows great complexity
and balance. The bouquet is initially seductive
and oaky, but it subsides with time to integrate with the
ripe melon, mango and yellow peach scents. Developed
and slightly honeyed, the palate is lush and round. Almond,
honeysuckle and soft sweet spice flavors stay
through the long close. Tasty now, but should age nicely
through 2015. Terry Seitz. —L.B.
abv: 14.5% Price: $39
91
Simonsig 2010 Avec Chêne Chenin
Blanc (Stellenbosch). Seductive and forward,
the Avec Chêne (with wood) boasts intense
aromas of vanilla, butter and cream that frame the
superripe peach and guava fruits. A touch of honey and
sweet spice add depth to the round, creamy-textured
palate. Rich but not overdone, with a sweet orange oil
lift to the long, evolving finish. Drink 2013-2015. Quintessential
Wines. —L.B.
abv: 14% Price: $35
90
Bellingham 2011 The Bernard Series
Limited Release Old Vine Chenin Blanc
(Coastal Region). Made with grapes sourced from
40-year-old bush vines, this Chenin boasts savory herb
notes alongside the creamy peach, fig and sweet lime
fruit. The medium-weight palate shows well-integrated
oak notes that complement the earthy, herbal character.
The texture is somewhat nervy now, but this should really
start to shine from 2014 on. Cape Wine Ventures.
—L.B.
abv: 14% Price: $50
90
Remhoogte 2010 Chenin Blanc (Stellenbosch).
This dense, full-flavored Chenin exudes
ripe fruit aromas and flavors of red apple flesh,
wood-grilled peach and sweet orange oil. The mouthfeel
is round but not fat, with good acidity and a spicy
but clean finish. Drink now–2014. Terry Seitz. —L.B.
abv: 13.5% Price: $27
90
Reyneke 2010 Organic Grapes Chenin
Blanc (Stellenbosch). There’s a natural essence
to this wine, exhibiting the best qualities of the
64 | WINE ENTHUSIAST | JULY 2012
grape as well as a sense of terroir. Soft herbal and mineral
accent the clean, fruity core. Green pear, melon
rind and a hint of peach pit unfold on the palate and
follow through to the long, slightly spiced finish. Perfectly
drinkable now, but will cellar nicely for another
3-5 years. Indigo Wine Group. —L.B.
abv: 13% Price: $30
90
Rudera 2009 Platinum Chenin Blanc (Elgin).
There’s great richness to the nose, with
a seriously decadent and robust apple-pie aroma. The
palate shows a bit more balance and restraint, with ripe
flavors of fig and melon fleshing out the creamy texture
but staying bright thanks to lifting acidity. The evolving
finish transitions from fruit to spice and finally ends on a
citrus pith flavor. DRG Imports. —L.B.
abv: 14% Price: $30
90
Vins d’Orrance 2010 Kama Chenin Blanc
(Western Cape). A full-flavored and ripe selection,
with decadent scents of sweet spice, whole vanilla
bean and peanut skin that give depth to the ripe
pear and melon fruit. There’s a tangy lift to the palate,
as flavors of white cranberry and lemon zest keep the
mouthfeel fresh. A honeyed almond accent unfolds on
the close. Broadbent Selections, Inc. —L.B.
abv: 13.5% Price: $33
89
Beaumont 2011 Chenin Blanc (Walker
Bay). There’s a great freshness to this Chenin,
with upfront, juicy notes of clementine, Granny
Smith apples and green melon rinds. The light and refreshing
palate transitions into a bright, mouthwatering
finish, with accents of pineapple-flavored acidity.
wine@34south. —L.B.
abv: 12.5% Price: $17
89
Land of Hope 2010 Reserve Chenin
Blanc (Stellenbosch). Flavorful and harmonious,
seductive notes of soft toast and walnut shell add
dimension to the honeydew, red apple and orange zest
notes. Medium weight, with good acidity and a lasting
finish, this is balanced and approachable now, with all of
the elements working together. World Premiere Wines
LLC. —L.B.
abv: 13% Price: $24
89
Spice Route 2010 Chenin Blanc (Swartland).
There’s a strong herbal backbone to the
core of this wine, surrounded by fleshy notes of melon
and white peach. The earthy notes mix with a lime
rind freshness on the palate, with a nice tropical fruit
flavor that stays well into the close. Drink now. Vineyard
Brands. —L.B.
abv: 14% Price: $18
89
Vinum Africa 2010 Chenin Blanc (Stellenbosch).
Strong oak-driven aromas of toasted
brioche, vanilla cream and sweet spice dominate the
nose. The lush, creamy palate is filled with more of the
same, but is supported by peach and mushy pear fruit
flavors. A decadent choice that’s a good match for salmon
or rich seafood. World Premiere Wines LLC. —L.B.
abv: 13.5% Price: $15
89
Wildekrans 2009 Barrel Selection Chenin
Blanc (Bot River). The oak is pronounced
on the nose and mouth of this wine, but it’s supported
by ripe fruit aromas and flavors of red apple flesh,
guava and quince. It’s lush and mouthfilling, but there’s
enough acidity to keep it from feeling overdone or flabby.
Finishes clean with spiced tropical-fruit notes. Boutique
Wine Collection. —L.B.
abv: 13.5% Price: $35
88
Franschhoek Cellar 2011 Le Cotte Mill
Chenin Blanc (Western Cape). Honey and
minor toast notes mingle with the red apple, mango and
peach aromas and flavors. Easy-drinking and fruit-forward,
the palate is bright and lively, with pineapple-core
acidity that lingers on the finish. Drink now. Cape Wine
Ventures. —L.B.
abv: 13.5% Price: $15
88
Jardin 2011 Barrel Fermented Chenin
Blanc (Stellenbosch). This barrel-fermented
Chenin shows well-integrated oak, with hints of soft
baking spice to the melon and green-fig fruit core. A
slightly creamy texture fills the mouth, with a seductive
toasty accent staying through the medium-length finish.
World Premiere Wines LLC. —L.B.
abv: 14% Price: $16
88
Landskroon 2011 Dry Chenin Blanc
(Paarl). For full review see page 12. Best Buy.
abv: 13% Price: $11
88
Leopard Frog NV Spellbinding Chenin
Blanc (Stellenbosch). This limited release
selection is big and flavorful upfront, with assertive
aromas of sweet spice, clementine, tropical fruit
and blanched almonds. A fleshy pear flavor leads the
round, mouth-filling palate, followed by a lengthy
finish laced with notes of hazelnut toast and sweet spice.
Ready to drink now. Vincenti Imports and Distribution
LLC. —L.B.
abv: 13% Price: $31
88
Mulderbosch 2011 Chenin Blanc (Western
Cape). Young and fresh, this Chenin
shows the stuffing to hold for another couple of years
thanks to firm, tight acidity and a solid fruit core of pear,
melon, guava and lime rind. The mouthfeel is round,
but the palate isn’t heavy. An attractive hint of sweet
spice unfolds on the finish. Cape Classics. —L.B.
abv: 13.5% Price: $15
88
Raats Family 2011 Original Unwooded
Chenin Blanc (Coastal Region). This wine
shows character and layers of flavor in its straightforward
yet elegant approach. A mineral thread stitches
together the ripe fruit notes of white melon, yellow apple,
pear and Key lime. Medium weight, with a bit of
a nervy feel right now, give this another year to really
shine. Cape Classics. —L.B.
abv: 13% Price: $15
88
Radford Dale 2010 Renaissance Chenin
Blanc (Stellenbosch). Open and seductive,
this has upfront notes of oak backed by moderate red
apple, pear and faint herb accents. Medium weight,
with a flinty streak, the palate is bright and mouthwater-