FRANSCHHOEK, South Africa – Chamonix Estate’s commitment to heritage and quality has been recognised, with its Chamonix Old Vine Steen 2024 earning a coveted Top 10 position and a 93-point rating in the prestigious Prescient Chenin Blanc Report. The report, organised by leading online publication winemag.co.za, celebrates South Africa’s flagship white varietal.
The acclaimed Chenin Blanc (originally known as Steen) hails from a remarkable 60-year-old vineyard, planted in 1965 on the mountain slopes of the Franschhoek estate. This is not the first time this specific Old Vine Steen has garnered attention; Chamonix Winemaker Neil Bruwer notes its consistent run of high ratings and accolades since its maiden 2020 vintage, underscoring the exceptional quality derived from South Africa’s treasured old vines.
“Old vineyard wines possess a distinct character – a unique texture, structure, and palate-weight that sets them apart,” explains Bruwer. “With Chenin Blanc, which forms the heart of South Africa’s old vine heritage, advanced vineyard age allows nuanced fruit expressions to emerge, coupled with an extraordinary presence and complexity that truly commands attention. We are privileged to work with our 1965 Chenin Blanc vineyard, a living testament to quality, which, even after this year’s harvest, continues to produce grapes of grace and personality.”
This specific .58-hectare vineyard, comprising just over 1,700 dryland-farmed vines, is situated 320m above sea level in loamy, sandstone-derived apedal soil. Bruwer believes the Chamonix Old Vine Steen 2024 beautifully articulates its historic Cape wine legacy.
“Working with these old grapes is an inspiration, and tasting the wine is a revelation,” Bruwer shares. “It presents the bright fruit flavours characteristic of Chenin Blanc, yet it’s the formidable palate weight, sheer presence, and immense satisfaction – all hallmarks of its old vine origins – that are truly marvellous. It’s gratifying to see South Africa’s old vine category performing so strongly, as it’s one of the Cape’s unique gifts to the wine world.”
Bruwer emphasizes that such recognition for Chamonix and other Cape old vine Chenin Blancs solidifies South Africa’s global leadership in this variety. “South Africa boasts the largest plantings of Chenin Blanc globally, including a magnificent array of intriguing old vine wines. This sector has captured the global wine imagination and serves as a powerful ambassador for our country, enhancing our image as a world-class premium wine-producing nation.”
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