2021 Sadie Family Citrusdal Mountain Skurfberg Chenin Blanc

This extraordinary 100% Chenin Blanc hails from South Africa’s northernmost wine region, the arid Citrusdal Mountain WO, on the west bank of the Olifants River. Specifically, the fruit is drawn from three parcels of 90-year-old, ungrafted bush vines on the decomposed, red sandstone slopes of the Skurfberg (which means ‘rigid mountain’). Planted between 1940 and 1955, these are three immaculately farmed vineyards that have never been treated with herbicide or chemical fertilizers.
Fruit from each vineyard is vinified separately, basket-pressed, then transferred to old casks for natural fermentation. Following 12 months on lees, the wine is blended, then returned to the same casks for a further six months before being bottled directly from foudre.

Other Reviews....
Regular readers of this report will be familiar with my enthusiasm for this world-class Chenin Blanc from seven rows of Basie van Lill’s West Coast vineyard. Energetic, stony and slightly reductive, with flavours of peach, citrus and Cox’s apples, effortless old-vine concentration, chiselled minerality and some structure from skin tannins. Drink: 2023-2030.
98 points
Tim Atkin MW - South Africa Report 2022

This has a beautiful bouquet with white flowers, almond and melted candle wax aromas that blossoms in the glass. The palate is very neutral in style, more a textural wine than one with overt flavours; light spicy notes emerge towards a finish that fans out with confidence. It magically gains depth and swagger with aeration - a magnificent wine - Chenin at the peak of its power.
97 points
Neal Martin - Vinous