The Dry Land Collection Courageous Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc

Hurrah! The last time I had this, it had oxidised, and I ignored my remaining couple of bottles as a result. I opened one tonight as I’m moving house, and this bottle is the only one in my cellar at home that didn’t have a place in the boxes that are now packed. I thought I’d pull the cork on it tonight, expecting it to clean the drains – but no, it lives! And what a good expression this is of Cape Chenin, singing after eight years and brimming full of bitter, zesty lemon and orange acidity and airy notes of clove & chamomile. There’s also a strong whiff of mint, which adds to the freshness. Superb stuff, and a fitting send-off to the home I’ve lived in for the past seven years.

Superb!! Completely went against what I expected this wine to be. Think this is a lean, zingy Chenin? Think again. More akin to a Meursault than anything else with plenty of rounded, buttery characteristics. Have ordered more.

Nice light colour, distinguished, complex, earthy, fine acids, great wine.