Valley Vineyards

The Royal Old Vines Steen Chenin Blanc

8.6125 ratings
8.616 pro ratings
Western Cape, South Africa
Chenin Blanc
Turkey, Vanilla & Caramel, Fruit & Berries, Exotic Spices, Salads & Greens, Pate, Potato, Tomato-Based, Chicken, Fruit Desserts, Quinoa, Farro, Brown Rice, White Rice, Pasta, Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pungent Cheese, Squash & Root Vegetables, Goat & Feta Cheese, Cheddar & Gruyere, Sweet Potato, Yuca, Taro, Baking Spices, Chili & Hot Spicy, Nuts & Seeds, Soft Cheese, Salami & Prosciutto, Shellfish, Crab & Lobster, Quinoa, Shellfish, Sweet Potato
Top Notes For
Dimitri Fedotov, C.S.

Sommelier Osteria 177

9.1

Please, don't do it too cold -- you will miss a bit of sour apricots and chalk at the end. Great stuff!!

Please, don't do it too cold -- you will miss a bit of sour apricots and chalk at the end. Great stuff!!

5 people found it helpfulJul 4th, 2014
Sean Wallner - WSET II

Minerals, chalk, lime stone, zesty tropical fruits and guava. This Chenin Blanc from South Africa is really great and refreshing.

Minerals, chalk, lime stone, zesty tropical fruits and guava. This Chenin Blanc from South Africa is really great and refreshing.

1 person found it helpfulAug 6th, 2016
Christanna Honer

Pale straw w silver rim and watery meniscus. Honeyed peach and fresh pineapple, Meyer lemon, and aloe Vera (not kidding). Bone dry and kind of sharp on palate, citrusy with some underripe and bitter/bruised stone fruit flavors. Waxy, high acid finish and slightly hot on back end, maybe a little off balance.

Pale straw w silver rim and watery meniscus. Honeyed peach and fresh pineapple, Meyer lemon, and aloe Vera (not kidding). Bone dry and kind of sharp on palate, citrusy with some underripe and bitter/bruised stone fruit flavors. Waxy, high acid finish and slightly hot on back end, maybe a little off balance.

1 person found it helpfulNov 17th, 2014
"Odedi"

Light yellow in color.

Light on the nose with oak, lemon and light melon.

Medium bodied with medium acidity.

Somewhat buttery On the palate with honey and peaches.

Medium finish with bitter almonds.

13% alcohol by volume.

Light yellow in color.

Light on the nose with oak, lemon and light melon.

Medium bodied with medium acidity.

Somewhat buttery On the palate with honey and peaches.

Medium finish with bitter almonds.

13% alcohol by volume.

Jun 5th, 2015
Bryan Calandrelli

Regional Editor New York Cork Report

8.7

As an $8 wine it over delivers with balance and typicity

As an $8 wine it over delivers with balance and typicity

May 10th, 2015
William Hughes

Guava and mineral nose. Fruity palate with good acid. This will be a wine to get by the case as the weather gets warmer. $10-12

Guava and mineral nose. Fruity palate with good acid. This will be a wine to get by the case as the weather gets warmer. $10-12

Feb 12th, 2015
Rush Payton

Delicious white. A perfect preview of summer sipping!

Delicious white. A perfect preview of summer sipping!

Mar 3rd, 2014
Rob Mondavi

Owner/President of Winemaking Folio Fine Wine Partners

8.5

I must be craving acidity. I wanted more minerality, yet I was happy w the wine. Chenin is very cool. It's a bit slippery and has loads of fruit. Evidently his is made w older vines. Cool.

I must be craving acidity. I wanted more minerality, yet I was happy w the wine. Chenin is very cool. It's a bit slippery and has loads of fruit. Evidently his is made w older vines. Cool.

Jan 31st, 2014
Lulu Hawken

This wine is medium gold in color with some slight rim variation. It has a powerful initial aroma with citrus fruits like orange, a hint of mango. There are strong mineral characteristics in the smell and the taste. It’s a dry wine with medium acidity with a medium body. This wine is well balanced and very fruit forward. There is no wood on the wine, and it has a medium finish. I liked the wine for the price, but would be interested in trying a different chenin blanc to compare.

This wine is medium gold in color with some slight rim variation. It has a powerful initial aroma with citrus fruits like orange, a hint of mango. There are strong mineral characteristics in the smell and the taste. It’s a dry wine with medium acidity with a medium body. This wine is well balanced and very fruit forward. There is no wood on the wine, and it has a medium finish. I liked the wine for the price, but would be interested in trying a different chenin blanc to compare.

Apr 14th, 2020
Stacy

This Chenin Blanc from South Africa has a light lemon hue with honeysuckle on the nose. It’s bright and crisp with fruity flavors of honeydew and lemon zest. Medium balanced with a strong and shiny finish of citrus and mineral. I really enjoyed this white. South African wines are fast becoming my favorite. $13.00/bottle.

This Chenin Blanc from South Africa has a light lemon hue with honeysuckle on the nose. It’s bright and crisp with fruity flavors of honeydew and lemon zest. Medium balanced with a strong and shiny finish of citrus and mineral. I really enjoyed this white. South African wines are fast becoming my favorite. $13.00/bottle.

Sep 24th, 2019