Bellingham

“CHENIN BLANC is famously versatile, and it would be wrong to say that any one style prevailed among the top performing wines,” said Winemag editor Christian Eedes in the 2022 Prescient Report, compiled after the assessment of 82 entries from 61 producers in the Cape winelands. “Chenin is South Africa’s most-planted grape, and it is amazing how well it works across a variety of production areas,” Eedes enthused. “Among the Top 10, two were from Breedekloof, two from Stellenbosch, one each from Agter-Paarl, Piekenierskloof and Swartland, and three were multi-area blends.”

“There’s a Chenin Blanc of real excellence for every drinking occasion imaginable and just about every budget, too.” Among the Top 10, offering the best quality relative to price was the MAN Free-Run Steen 2021 at R85 a bottle, relative to the average price of R235pb, and just outside the Top 10 was the 2020 Mountain Ridge at R75pb.

Also on the panel of judges for this Chenin Blanc Report: Spencer Fondaumier, chairman of the South African Sommeliers Association, and Jolette Steyn of Cape Town merchants and cellarers Wine Cellar.

96/100

Bellingham Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc Limited Release 2021
R235pb from Franschhoek Cellar

95/100

Tempel Kattemai Chenin Blanc 2021
R295pb ex-cellar, Paarl
Villiera Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2021
R186pb ex-cellar, Koelenhof-Stellenbosch

94/100

Intrepid Chenin Blanc 2021
R240pb from Le Belle Rebelle cellar, Rawsonville
Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Old Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2021
R260pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
Roodekrantz 1983 Old Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2021
R130pb ex-cellar, Wellington

93/100

Bruce Jack Boer Maak ’n Plan Chenin Blanc 2020
R250pb ex-cellar, Napier
MAN Free-Run Steen Chenin Blanc 2021
R85pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Old Road Anemos Chenin Blanc 2020
R270pb from producer, Franschhoek
Piekenierskloof Bergendal Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2021
R400pb ex-cellar, Citrusdal Valley