SPIER 21 GABLES is a range of single varietal wines, the premium offerings from this Stellenbosch outfit. The name pays tribute to the farm’s Cape Dutch architectural legacy, and forming the cornerstone of the range are a Chenin Blanc and a Pinotage, both included among the Top 10 of their type in the SA Wine Classification, with the portfolio having grown to include an unwooded Sauvignon Blanc and a Cabernet Sauvignon.

In 2018, the 2014 vintage of 21 Gables Cabernet has earned high praise indeed: top score and a platinum medal at the National Wine Show and Decanter World Wine Awards respectively. However, the 2016 vintage of 21 Gables Chenin has attracted even more applause: following a double gold Veritas award and a visit to the podium at the Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge of 2017, in 2018 the wine was triumphant at the National Wine Challenge before being honoured as the judges’ favourite at the Trophy Wine Show and as the best Chenin Blanc at the International Wine & Spirit Competition in London.

The previous vintage, the 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2015 was judged best wine on show at the 2017 Veritas Awards; and the subsequent vintage, 2017, was welcomed onto the market with a trophy at the 2018 Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge. Great consistency! Stunning reviews!

SPIER 21 GABLES CHENIN BLANC 2016
Handpicked grapes predominantly from 35-year-old unirrigated vines in Durbanville, with small percentages from the Paardeberg and Stellenbosch. Using only free-run juice, fermented in French oak casks. Matured for 14 months on the lees. Tight-grain, low-toast barrels (60% new) of various sizes.
Alc 14.5 | RS 6.9 | TA 6.5 | pH 3.4
From the Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: a yellow-tinged beauty with a slightly golden core; ripe, baked apples and apple-pie spice on the nose; a rich entry and powerful palate – savoury notes and pure fruit, layers of complexity, strewn with yellow fruits and framed by a fine acidity, opulent caramel, vanilla cream and toasted cashew notes on the finish. A full-bodied, seriously structured Chenin Blanc.
Cellaring: will age well over the next decade.
Pairing Suggestion: crisp pork belly with oriental caramelisation, or duck breast with fynbos honey and spices, or Cape-style pickled fish.
R198 a bottle at the cellar door.