The Survivor Chenin Blanc, the producer named after a Nguni bull that jumped off a truck while transported from one farm to another, is a fantastic Chenin Blanc by Pierre Wahl. I recently presented this Chenin Blanc at a tasting and it was by far the favourite Chenin Blanc among five others. 10% of the wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks and 90% in barrels, all matured for a further 4 months to give this wine its complexity and structure. It is a true gem for its price.
In the glass, this wine has a straw yellow colour with a golden tinge. It offers a vibrant, fresh nose of apricots, peaches, lime and tropical fruit. The palate is elegantly complex, offering a bold wine without overpowering the palate - it is more of an unfolding of flavours. Dried apricots, dried green apples, peaches, green melon, pineapple and lime unfolds on the palate. A crisp minerality is unmistakable on this wine and part of the finish, together with fresh peaches. This wine is certainly a crowd-pleaser that will raise a few eyebrows!
This wine should be served chilled well. It can be enjoyed on its own, or with a wide variety of foods, from a chicken schnitzel to a seared salmon steak, seafood pasta or couscous salad. This wine is not difficult to find and the winemaker is often standing at the stall of Survivor at many major awards tastings. It is real value for money. I recently tasted the 2015 vintage of this wine, and it was still in a great condition. This wine shows a great ageing potential of about 10 years.
Producer: Survivor (Overhex)
Variety: Chenin Blanc 100%
Vintage: 2021
Origin: Swartland, Western Cape, South Africa
Winemaker: Pierre Wahl
Closure: Cork
Alcohol: 13.5%
RS: 1.69g/l
Average price: R120
Rating: 95/100
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