Raats

Old Vine Chenin Blanc

8.951 ratings
8.915 pro ratings
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, Western Cape, South Africa
Chenin Blanc
Top Notes For
Douglas Braun

Wet wool , musky ,melon , hay , neutral barrels ,spice

Wet wool , musky ,melon , hay , neutral barrels ,spice

Oct 2nd, 2019
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

It’s fuller & creamy on the nose than their Original Un-Oaked Chenin. More pronounced wet wool as well. Lemon, lime, grapefruit, white peach, green melon, honey notes, very under minerals & chalkiness, light straw notes, wafting dry herbs with yellow flowers and lilies.

The palate show a little more pronounced wet wool quality than the nose. Lemon, lime, grapefruit, white peach, green melon, honey notes, some cream, very under minerals & chalkiness, light straw notes, wafting dry herbs with yellow flowers and lilies. Nice round well done acidity. The finish is polished fruits, yielding to very pleasant minerality and chalkiness.

Photos of; the view from their tasting room, lots of beautiful original artworks from famous local artists...a few of them the Uncle of our host, examples of some of the soil structures around their tasting room vines and their upstairs tasting room.

It’s fuller & creamy on the nose than their Original Un-Oaked Chenin. More pronounced wet wool as well. Lemon, lime, grapefruit, white peach, green melon, honey notes, very under minerals & chalkiness, light straw notes, wafting dry herbs with yellow flowers and lilies.

The palate show a little more pronounced wet wool quality than the nose. Lemon, lime, grapefruit, white peach, green melon, honey notes, some cream, very under minerals & chalkiness, light straw notes, wafting dry herbs with yellow flowers and lilies. Nice round well done acidity. The finish is polished fruits, yielding to very pleasant minerality and chalkiness.

Photos of; the view from their tasting room, lots of beautiful original artworks from famous local artists...a few of them the Uncle of our host, examples of some of the soil structures around their tasting room vines and their upstairs tasting room.

May 13th, 2019
Rebecca Fletcher

Crisp green apple, Asian pear, lemon, and melon. M+ acid, m body, long finish.

Crisp green apple, Asian pear, lemon, and melon. M+ acid, m body, long finish.

Oct 21st, 2017
Miguel de Leon

Service Director/Wine Educator Casa Mono

9.4

Fat, round, delicious and well-made. All the hallmarks up front with that classic Chenin rubber tire and cheesiness in back. Spot on.

Fat, round, delicious and well-made. All the hallmarks up front with that classic Chenin rubber tire and cheesiness in back. Spot on.

1 person found it helpfulMar 21st, 2015
William Hughes

Gingered honeyed pears over minerals and a hint of celery. Needs a tad more acidity, but this is a delicious wine

Gingered honeyed pears over minerals and a hint of celery. Needs a tad more acidity, but this is a delicious wine

Mar 8th, 2015
Martijn

Lot of potential even for some aging but already drinking nicely now.

Lot of potential even for some aging but already drinking nicely now.

Oct 2nd, 2023
Joe Dunn

Apple pear. A lot of melon like honeydew. Lower acid for a chenin. Good minerality like old world with a kiss of sour cream vibes. Called the varietal and region.

Apple pear. A lot of melon like honeydew. Lower acid for a chenin. Good minerality like old world with a kiss of sour cream vibes. Called the varietal and region.

Jan 11th, 2022
Senator Tommelier

Recently discovered Chenin Blanc from South Africa, so decided to double down with some Indian food tonight. Pretty mild with a hint of citrus fruits and honey although not sweet. I’d like to continue exploring this theme.

Recently discovered Chenin Blanc from South Africa, so decided to double down with some Indian food tonight. Pretty mild with a hint of citrus fruits and honey although not sweet. I’d like to continue exploring this theme.

Feb 21st, 2021
Dave Kluz

Fresh apple and baking spices with a touch of honey. Bright key lime and chalky minerality.

Fresh apple and baking spices with a touch of honey. Bright key lime and chalky minerality.

Jul 3rd, 2016
Yancy

Without a doubt amazing. Serve chilled and enjoy.

Without a doubt amazing. Serve chilled and enjoy.

Jun 11th, 2016