A Chenin Blanc wine originating from a 58-year-old vineyard nestled in the mountain vineyards of Chamonix Estate in Franschhoek has garnered a noteworthy rating of 95 points in the March edition of the esteemed international wine publication, Decanter.
Neil Bruwer, the winemaker at Chamonix, highlights that the estate’s Old Vine Steen has consistently received outstanding ratings and accolades since its inaugural vintage in 2020, emphasizing the distinctive wine quality achievable through South Africa’s offering of old vines.
“Old vineyard wines undoubtedly possess a distinct texture, structure, and palate weight,” explains Bruwer. “In the case of Chenin Blanc, which represents the majority of South Africa’s old vine category, the age of the vineyard allows the subtle nuances of Chenin to take center stage, while also exuding an extra level of presence and complexity that captures attention. We’re truly fortunate to have the treasured Chenin Blanc vineyard, planted in 1965, which, as I’ve witnessed firsthand after this year’s harvest, continues to flourish, producing grapes of elegance and character.”
Situated at an altitude of 320 meters above sea level, Chamonix’s Old Vine Chenin Blanc vineyard thrives in loamy apedal soil with sandstone origins. Cultivated without irrigation, the vineyard spans 0.58 hectares and boasts just over 1,700 vines.
Bruwer elaborates that the Chamonix Old Vine Steen 2021 embodies everything that a connoisseur would anticipate from a white wine originating from a vineyard that has stood witness to a significant portion of the Cape’s wine history. “Working with these aged grapes is truly inspiring,” he attests. “Tasting the resulting wine is a revelation. The wine distinctly displays the vibrant fruit flavors characteristic of Chenin Blanc. Its remarkable palate weight, commanding presence, and the immense satisfaction it imparts owing to its old vine heritage are truly wondrous to experience and be a part of. Witnessing South Africa’s old vine category achieve international recognition, as well as other Cape old vine Chenin Blancs, underscores our country’s global leadership in this variety.”
Bruwer emphasizes that South Africa’s position as the world’s largest cultivator of Chenin Blanc vineyards, including a splendid array of captivating wines produced from old vineyards, has captivated the wine world’s imagination. “This sector serves as an ambassador for our identity as a wine-producing nation, enhancing South Africa’s reputation as a premier global wine producer,” concludes Bruwer.
