BUYING GUIDE - Wine Enthusiast Magazine
BUYING GUIDE - Wine Enthusiast Magazine
BUYING GUIDE - Wine Enthusiast Magazine
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ing, closing on a toasty, orange rind flavor. World Premiere<br />
<strong>Wine</strong>s LLC. —L.B.<br />
abv: 13% Price: $35<br />
87<br />
Boschendal 2011 Chenin Blanc (Coastal<br />
Region). This is fresh and vibrant, with aromas<br />
and flavors of apple, melon and orange citrus. Medium<br />
weight, with a mouthwatering zip to the finish, pair this<br />
with grilled fish, chicken or summer salads. Drink now.<br />
Cape <strong>Wine</strong> Ventures. —L.B.<br />
abv: 14% Price: $15<br />
87<br />
Cape View 2011 Chenin Blanc (Stellenbosch).<br />
A glimmer of toast and honey add<br />
depth to the green fig, apple and underripe peach<br />
center of this wine. Fresh and zippy on the palate, the<br />
vibrant fruit and sweet citrus flavors carry through to<br />
the mouthwatering finish. Drink up. Knauth & Visser<br />
LLC. Best Buy. —L.B.<br />
abv: 13.5% Price: $12<br />
87<br />
Dornier 2010 The Pirate of Cocoa Hill<br />
Chenin Blanc (Stellenbosch). Apple skin,<br />
orange rind and clove spice lead on the bouquet, while<br />
opulent flavors of popcorn and baked apple fill the medium-weight<br />
palate. Despite the rich notes throughout,<br />
there’s a nice freshness, with a clean, softly spiced finish.<br />
Drink now. Worthwhile <strong>Wine</strong> Company. —L.B.<br />
abv: 13% Price: $13<br />
87<br />
False Bay 2010 Chenin Blanc (Western<br />
Cape). A forward and fruity wine, with red apple<br />
flesh, melon and tropical fruit aromas and flavors<br />
that are laced with just a hint of oak. The mediumweight<br />
mouth is juicy and clean, and the finish brisk and<br />
refreshing. USA <strong>Wine</strong> West. —L.B.<br />
abv: 13% Price: $13<br />
87<br />
Ken Forrester 2011 Petit Chenin Blanc<br />
(Western Cape). A fresh and fruity wine<br />
that’s ready to drink now. This has attractive aromas<br />
and flavors of green apple and lime followed by a clean,<br />
mouthwatering finish. There’s a soft herbal streak that<br />
adds depth to the nose and mouth. Cape Classics. Best<br />
Buy. —L.B.<br />
abv: 13.5% Price: $12<br />
87<br />
MAN Vintners 2011 Chenin Blanc (Coastal<br />
Region). This is dainty and pretty, with solid<br />
floral aromas of peony and orange blossom that lift<br />
the pear and hard peach fruit backbone. Vibrant acidity<br />
keeps the palate fresh and the finish clean and mouthwatering.<br />
Drink now. Vineyard Brands. Best Buy.<br />
—L.B.<br />
abv: 13.5% Price: $11<br />
87<br />
MAN Vintners 2011 Cuvée V Chenin<br />
Blanc (Coastal Region). Cuvée V, MAN’s<br />
homage to the wines of Vouvray, is an attractive and<br />
semisweet-style Chenin Blanc that offers rich aromas<br />
of peach, lightly baked apple and tropical fruit. A slight<br />
prickle from the bright acidity dances on the palate and<br />
keeps the wine from feeling too sweet or heavy. Drink<br />
now. Vineyard Brands. Best Buy. —L.B.<br />
abv: 12.5% Price: $11<br />
87<br />
Post House 2010 Chenin Blanc (Stellenbosch).<br />
There’s an assertive oaky presence<br />
to this wine, with forward aromas and flavors of vanilla<br />
bean, honeyed peach and spiced guava. The round<br />
and mouthfilling texture complements the rich fruit flavors,<br />
and the finish is long and sweet-spice driven. Terry<br />
Seitz. —L.B.<br />
abv: 14.5% Price: $26<br />
87<br />
Six Hats 2010 Chenin Blanc (Western<br />
Cape). The bouquet opens with peppy aromas<br />
of sweet clementine juice, white peach and a soft saline<br />
accent. The palate is fresh and crisp, with the green<br />
melon and lime zest flavors taking center stage and lingering<br />
well into the finish. Drink now. Boutique <strong>Wine</strong><br />
Collection. Best Buy. —L.B.<br />
abv: 13% Price: $10<br />
86<br />
3000 BC 2009 Chenin Blanc (Stellenbosch).<br />
Pear, apple and lime lead on the nose<br />
of this wine, with a secondary glimmer of flint. Rich but<br />
not overdone, the palate is fresh, with ripe fruit flavors<br />
and lively acidity. A peach pit accent unfolds on the finish;<br />
drink now. Knauth & Visser LLC. Best Buy. —L.B.<br />
abv: 13.5% Price: $10<br />
86<br />
Bain’s Way 2011 Chenin Blanc (Wellington).<br />
Lively aromatics and fresh fruit are<br />
coupled with a bright, mouthwatering texture and a refreshing<br />
finish. White peach, strawberry hull and melon<br />
rind form the fruity core of this wine, with assertive<br />
lemon-lime citrus flavors infusing the zippy finish. <strong>Wine</strong><br />
Sources. Best Buy. —L.B.<br />
abv: 14% Price: $11<br />
86<br />
Essay 2011 Chenin Blanc (Western<br />
Cape). With 10% Viognier added to this Chenin,<br />
there is a forward, earthy character to this wine, like<br />
a mix of honeysuckle and citrus-scented fynbos. The<br />
medium-weight palate shows melon and tropical fruit<br />
flavors while a lemon-lime accent freshens up the close.<br />
Vineyard Brands. Best Buy. —L.B.<br />
abv: 13.5% Price: $8<br />
86<br />
Fleur Du Cap 2011 Bergkelder Selection<br />
Chenin Blanc (Western Cape). Although<br />
only 10% of this wine was aged in oak, you can definitely<br />
pick up on some of the woody accents—like vanilla<br />
and faint toast—that spice up core of green apple flesh<br />
and melon rind. Medium bodied and balanced, a sweet<br />
spice accent lingers nicely through the finish. Maisons<br />
Marques & Domaines USA. Best Buy. —L.B.<br />
abv: 13.5% Price: $10<br />
86<br />
La Capra Presented by Fairview 2010<br />
Chenin Blanc (Western Cape). Pear, white<br />
melon rind and faint guava notes grace the bouquet of<br />
this fresh and inviting wine. The ripe, round mouthfeel<br />
is balanced and approachable, with a refreshing limezest<br />
infused finish. Drink now. Vineyard Brands. Best<br />
Buy. —L.B.<br />
abv: 13.5% Price: $11<br />
86<br />
Landskroon 2011 Bush Camp The Sundowner<br />
Chenin Blanc (Paarl). An off-dry<br />
Chenin, with lush notes of peach, red apple and sweet<br />
lime. There are soft hints of sweet grass and spice that<br />
unfold on the bouquet and on the finish. Vibrant acidity<br />
keeps the flavors fresh and leaves a lingering tingling<br />
sensation. An easy choice for drinking now. Z <strong>Wine</strong>s<br />
USA. Best Buy. —L.B.<br />
abv: 13% Price: $11<br />
86<br />
Six Hats 2011 Chenin Blanc (Western<br />
Cape). This is light, bright and easy, with clean<br />
notes of Granny Smith apple, pear, and a hint of fresh<br />
grass. The tart palate is sharp but refreshing, with a<br />
medium-length, mouthwatering finish. Boutique <strong>Wine</strong><br />
Collection. Best Buy. —L.B.<br />
abv: 12.5% Price: $10<br />
86<br />
Spier 2011 Chenin Blanc (Stellenbosch).<br />
A great value wine that’s ready to drink now.<br />
This vibrant and aromatic selection boasts scents of orange<br />
blossom, white peach and fresh honeydew. The<br />
palate is fresh and lively with a crisp and mouthwatering<br />
finish. Indigo <strong>Wine</strong> Group. Best Buy. —L.B.<br />
abv: 13% Price: $10<br />
86<br />
Stonewalker 2010 Chenin Blanc (Western<br />
Cape). For ten bucks, this is an attractive<br />
and crowd-pleasing Chenin that boasts forward notes of<br />
baked apple, melon, sweet orange and a hint of savory<br />
herb. The balanced acidity ensures that the ripe flavors<br />
don’t feel too heavy on the close. Cape <strong>Wine</strong> Ventures.<br />
Best Buy. —L.B.<br />
abv: 13% Price: $10<br />
86<br />
Van Loveren 2011 Chenin No. 5 Chenin<br />
Blanc (Robertson). A refreshing and approachable<br />
wine, with forward notes of green plum,<br />
plantain, Granny Smith apple and lime on the nose and<br />
palate. There’s a slight roundness to the midpalate, but<br />
a vibrant twang lifts the finish. Z <strong>Wine</strong>s USA. Best Buy.<br />
—L.B.<br />
abv: 12.5% Price: $11<br />
86<br />
Wildekrans 2011 Chenin Blanc (Bot River).<br />
Dainty floral aromatics mingle with the<br />
fresh scents of white peach and melon rind. Medium<br />
weight, this has good zip on the palate that carries<br />
through to the finish. Lively lime and green plum flavors<br />
abound. Boutique <strong>Wine</strong> Collection. —L.B.<br />
abv: 12.5% Price: $15<br />
86<br />
<strong>Wine</strong>ry of Good Hope 2011 Bush Vine<br />
Chenin Blanc (Stellenbosch). This wine<br />
shows good balance between the lively acidity and ripe<br />
notes of red apple flesh, pear and orange oil. The round<br />
mouthfeel of ripe fruit flavors are lifted on the finish by<br />
a tangy, green plum and lime zest accent. Drink now.<br />
World Premiere <strong>Wine</strong>s LLC. —L.B.<br />
abv: 13% Price: $12<br />
85<br />
Frisky Zebras NV Sultry Chenin Blanc<br />
(Western Cape). A nice selection for poolside<br />
entertaining, this bright and accessible Chenin Blanc<br />
offers attractive aromas and flavors of guava, melon and<br />
orange marmalade that are balanced by vibrant acidity.<br />
Ripe and flavorful without being overdone. Vincenti<br />
Imports and Distribution LLC. Best Buy. —L.B.<br />
abv: 13.5% Price: $10<br />
85<br />
Van Loveren 2011 Five’s Reserve Chenin<br />
Blanc (Robertson). Good intensity of<br />
fruit aromas and flavors are matched with a light, easy<br />
mouthfeel and clean finish. Aromas of guava, mango,<br />
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