2024 Sadie Family Stellenbosch Mev. Kirsten Chenin Blanc

Sadie has been working with Chenin off this "truly incredible" granite vineyard at the foot of Bothmaskop Mountain in Stellenbosch's Jonkershoek Valley since 2006. With most of the vines planted between 1905 and 1920, the mere one hectare (belonging to Mrs Kirsten and her family) is recognised as the oldest Chenin Blanc in South Africa. Due to the age of the vines, Sadie has been interplanting mass-selection cuttings to prolong the vineyard's life, though the younger vines are vinified separately. In time, the younger fraction will also be included in the blend.

Eben describes this hyper-rare wine as his most powerful and structured Chenin Blanc, juxtaposing silky elegance with immense texture, density and power. It ferments in an old foudre with lots of solids and is bottled unfiltered after 12 months of aging.

Other Reviews....
Lots of spiced pear, mango stone, honey, papaya and honeysuckle on the nose of this full-bodied white. It’s creamy, rich and delicious, with incredible generosity and volume but reined in by fresh acidity. Great balance. Hard not to drink. Chenin blanc from a vineyard planted in 1905. Drink or hold.
97 points
Claire Nesbitt - JamesSuckling.com

The 2024 Mev. Kirsten comes from the oldest Chenin in the Cape, originally planted in 1905 and then every other row was pulled out in 1946. Factoid: it was the first vineyard in South Africa ploughed by tractor. It has a fragrant bouquet with sea spray, light lanolin and crushed chalky scents. The palate is beautifully balanced with a wonderful texture, perfectly balanced, laser-like focus, with a deft hint of lemongrass on the prolonged finish. Brilliant. Drink 2027-2049.
97 points
Neal Martin - Vinous