Slanghoek Private Selection 2007

Slanghoek Chenin a Value for Money Wine

There is often little romance about a co-operative winery like Slanghoek which makes it laudable that good quality smaller batches of wine are produced here. The Breedekloof outfit processes 24 million litres of wine per annum of which 75% is white. Despite these vast quantities, the requisite forethought and care so necessary in making good single vineyard wine is also present in large supply in their Private Selection Chenin Blanc 2007.

Winemaker Nicolaas Rust considers Chenin Blanc from the valley “a varietal we’ve been able to rely on for years”. Slanghoek and the Breedekloof ward on the whole are more acclaimed for their Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Muscadel but as much as one quarter of their grower’s plantings are Chenin Blanc. “Breedekloof Chenin is versatile stylistically and has a positive developing curve.” Important to note that – although not registered as a single vineyard product – the wine does orginate from a single block of 24 year old vines. Rust has done senior winemaking stints at Weltevrede and Seidelberg before joining Slanghoek in October 2003. He feels the ultimate growth in Chenin will originate from the bottom up.

“There is a definite ‘value for money’ market that will always support well-made, balanced and well-priced Chenin Blanc – that is where Slanghoek Cellar wishes to position itself.”

In Slanghoek’s Private Selection 2007 you’re getting an unwooded wine with alcohol at 13.32% and a bone dry 1.6 g/ℓ of residual sugar with no skin contact during vinification.

Rust does point out that the wine is widely available at most recognised liquor outlets but not in supermarkets. Try the cellar, open for sales seven days a week between 8am and 5pm. With 2 200 cases produced and selling ex-cellar at R16.70 a bottle, it’s a great example of what unwooded Chenin can offer.