Six Dogs Red Chenin 2023

Six Dogs is a brand that is predominantly known as a gin brand. They have hinted towards an interest in wine with a Pinotage-stained gin and this is their first wine release. The idea of Red Chenin was trademarked by Six Dogs and by making this wine, the idea was to challenge the idea of what a Chenin Blanc can be like. It should not be confused with Béquignol noir, the French grape variety that is also known as Red Chenin. By this time, inquisitive tasters are familiar with white wines that are made from the juice of red grapes. For the largest majority of red wines, the juice is actually white and only becomes red when it is left in contact with the skins that will colour the juice. However, making a red wine from white grapes is impossible, but Six Dogs in collaboration with De Wet Cellar attempted to get as close as possible to that.

This wine is made from Chenin Blanc with a small portion of Roobernet, blended together to create a wine with a light raspberry red colour. On the nose, it is a fresh and aromatic wine with notes of tropical fruit, specifically guava, dried peaches, honeysuckle and citrus. In a black glass, one would have little doubt that this is a white wine. On the palate, the tropical fruit flavours, guava, peaches, lemon, honey and ginger come through, followed by an unusual appearance of grainy tannins and some red fruit flavours. The mouthfeel of this wine is in contrast with the fruit profile, because one would not expect tannins on a white wine. It has a fresh finish.

This wine is an exciting experimental wine, calling for fun with tasters and challenging your senses. I had much fun with this wine at the Decanter Wine Club, because everyone was trying to ascribe red berries and plums to this wine, just based on the colour. It is a diverse wine that will work well with food, especially a trinchado pasta or a seafood paella. It comes at a good price and is well worth trying out if you are curious about wine tasting. It is best served chilled.

Producer: Six Dogs (De Wet Cellar)

Variety: Chenin Blanc, Roobernet

Vintage: 2023

Origin: Worcester, Western Cape, South Africa

Winemaker: Tertius Jonck

Closure: Screwcap

Alcohol: 12.5%

Average price: R120

Rating: 89/100