Tasting editor's choice: February 2010
Tasting editor's choice
This month Christian Eedes looks at wines from Riebeek, Windmeul, Teddy Hall and Mulderbosch.
VALUE CHENIN BLANC
★ ★ ★ ✩ three and a half stars
Riebeek Reserve 2008
CELLAR PRICE: R35
An expressive wine with notes of tropical fruit, honey and spice on the nose and palate. Wonderfully full bodied, rich and ripe but balanced by tangy acidity. Matured in entirely new 300-litre French and Hungarian oak barrels for six months. CE's score: 17/20.
VALUE CHENIN BLANC
★ ★ ★ three stars
Windmeul Reserve Barrel Fermented 2009
CELLAR PRICE: R40
From Agter-Paarl vineyards 30 to 46 years in age. A somewhat shy nose belies a palate with good weight and complexity. Flavours of citrus and spice. Juicy fruit, fresh acidity and well-judged oak: eight months in second-fill, large-format barrels. CE's score: 17/20.
INVESTMENT CHENIN BLANC
★ ★ ★ three stars
Teddy Hall Reserve 2008
CELLAR PRICE: R100
From the man who has won the Chenin Blanc Challenge on four
previous occasions. The nose shows intriguing waxy, leesy notes while the palate is rich and textured with an appealing sweet 'n' sour character. Grapes from 23-year-old vines in Koelenhof, Stellenbosch. CE's score: 17/20.
INVESTMENT chenin blanc
★ ★ ★ ✩ three and a half stars
Mulderbosch Small Change 2008
CELLAR PRICE: R200
A meticulously crafted wine: 45% tank fermented, 45% matured for six months in Hungarian oak barrels and 10% Noble Late Harvest. Lime through pear drop to tropical fruit flavours. Residual sugar of over 10g/l well concealed. From vineyards 54 to 60 years in age. CE's score: 17/20.
