Lievland Vineyards
Paarl Old Vine Chenin Blanc
Paarl, Coastal Region, Western Cape, South Africa
This wine is tinted golden-green, has a very clear appearance and shows some slight bubbles upon the pour. The nose is mineral-laden, with a huge influence from the slate soils in which the grapes grew. There is also a citrus note in the aroma package. On the palate, minerals abound still. Citrus fruit joins the flinty flavors while a near-ripping acidity provides incredible freshness and food friendliness.
This wine is tinted golden-green, has a very clear appearance and shows some slight bubbles upon the pour. The nose is mineral-laden, with a huge influence from the slate soils in which the grapes grew. There is also a citrus note in the aroma package. On the palate, minerals abound still. Citrus fruit joins the flinty flavors while a near-ripping acidity provides incredible freshness and food friendliness.
Jun 23rd, 2023
If you’re looking for an excellent wine to pair with sushi, try a crisp, dry Chenin Blanc! If you’ve already tried this combo, you know what I’m talking about…
Chenin Blanc can have a mouth-watering structure and elegant fruit profile, lending brightness and lift to a meal with delicate fish flavors, without overpowering it.
This Chenin comes from South Africa (locally called “Steen”), produced by Lievland Vineyards (“Loveland” in Afrikaans), owned by MAN Family Wines, in the district of Stellenbosch, in the Coastal Region located on the Western Cape.
We’re grateful we had the opportunity to sample this wine with Winemaking Director, Tyrrel Myburgh (also Co-Founder of MAN), who was in town for The Wine Company’s trade tasting event last year. It definitely left a lasting impression. At roughly $17.99/bottle at retail, it’s delivering an excellent quality (and value) for the price.
The grapes come from old, dry-farmed bush vines in the district of Paarl, just north of Stellenbosch. Vines like this tend to produce lower yields, which often translates to more concentrated fruit (“less is more”). The juice was fermented in 50% stainless steel and 50% neutral oak vessels, followed by 2 months of aging on the lees; choices that lend balance, complexity, and richness to the resulting wine.
With that, let’s get to the tasting note! This wine is pale lemon with medium (+) intensity of aromas, including, fresh and vibrant lemon, lime, yellow apple, just-ripe peach, apricot, white blossom, lemongrass, wet slate, salinity, gunflint, and toast. It has a hint of struck match, as well. The palate is dry with medium alcohol (13% ABV), a medium body, and medium (+) acidity giving way to riper, rounder flavors emphasizing the stone fruit characteristics. The finish lingers.
Cheers exploring the wonderful world of Steen!
If you’re looking for an excellent wine to pair with sushi, try a crisp, dry Chenin Blanc! If you’ve already tried this combo, you know what I’m talking about…
Chenin Blanc can have a mouth-watering structure and elegant fruit profile, lending brightness and lift to a meal with delicate fish flavors, without overpowering it.
This Chenin comes from South Africa (locally called “Steen”), produced by Lievland Vineyards (“Loveland” in Afrikaans), owned by MAN Family Wines, in the district of Stellenbosch, in the Coastal Region located on the Western Cape.
We’re grateful we had the opportunity to sample this wine with Winemaking Director, Tyrrel Myburgh (also Co-Founder of MAN), who was in town for The Wine Company’s trade tasting event last year. It definitely left a lasting impression. At roughly $17.99/bottle at retail, it’s delivering an excellent quality (and value) for the price.
The grapes come from old, dry-farmed bush vines in the district of Paarl, just north of Stellenbosch. Vines like this tend to produce lower yields, which often translates to more concentrated fruit (“less is more”). The juice was fermented in 50% stainless steel and 50% neutral oak vessels, followed by 2 months of aging on the lees; choices that lend balance, complexity, and richness to the resulting wine.
With that, let’s get to the tasting note! This wine is pale lemon with medium (+) intensity of aromas, including, fresh and vibrant lemon, lime, yellow apple, just-ripe peach, apricot, white blossom, lemongrass, wet slate, salinity, gunflint, and toast. It has a hint of struck match, as well. The palate is dry with medium alcohol (13% ABV), a medium body, and medium (+) acidity giving way to riper, rounder flavors emphasizing the stone fruit characteristics. The finish lingers.
Cheers exploring the wonderful world of Steen!
