IN THE March 2023 issue of the British magazine Decanter, no fewer than 28 of South Africa’s Chenin Blancs (or blends comprising at least 85% Chenin) were considered outstanding, excellent wines of great complexity and character, rated between 95 and 97 on a 100-point scale. This followed a three-day panel tasting of 223 wines submitted by either the producers or their agents in the UK, with the jury comprising Masters of Wine Greg Sherwood and Beverley Blanning together with fellow wine writer and Decanter World Wine Awards judge Roger Jones.

In his tasting report for the publication, Sherwood reflected that during recent decades the value of Chenin had “rocketed” both in terms of perception and price. “Swartland was the standout region,” with all of the judges finding some world-class examples, and there were many excellent wines among the large Stellenbosch contingent. The most glowing reviews were for a couple of 2021s from Swartland winemakers David and Nadia Sadie, their Plat’bos version from a vineyard over 40 years old and a vintage that also ranked among the six top-scoring wines in the 2023 edition of Platter’s SA Wine Guide. No other producers have as many Chenins in the 2023 SA Wine Classification.

OUTSTANDING CHENIN

SCORED 97/100

David & Nadia Plat’bos 2021
R680pb ex-cellar, Paardeberg-Malmesbury

David & Nadia Rondevlei 2021
R385pb ex-cellar, Paardeberg-Malmesbury

SCORED 96/100

Ken Forrester FMC 2021
R645pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch

Roodekrantz Die Kliphuis 2021
R370pb ex-cellar, Wellington

Stark-Condé Monk Stone 2021
R350pb ex-cellar, Jonkershoek-Stellenbosch

Wolf & Woman 2021
R270pb ex-producer, Riebeek West

SCORED 95/100

Avondale Jonty’s Ducks Pekin White 2020
R383pb ex-cellar, Paarl

Beaumont 2022
R150pb ex-cellar, Bot River

Beaumont Hope Marguerite 2021
R425pb ex-cellar, Bot River

Bruce Jack Boer Maak ’n Plan 2020
R250pb ex-cellar, Napier

Carinus Polkadraai Heuwels 2020
R335pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch

Chamonix Old Vine Steen 2021
R440pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek

Doolhof Riviersteen 2018
R999pb ex-cellar, Wellington

Hogan 2021
R330pb ex-cellar, Banghoek-Stellenbosch

Joostenberg Myburgh Bros Old Vine 2021
R130pb ex-cellar, Muldersvlei-Stellenbosch

Keermont Riverside 2019
R440pb ex-cellar, Upper Blaauwklippen-Stellenbosch

Meinert 6Chen 2018
R270pb ex-cellar, Devon Valley-Stellenbosch

Mentors 2021
R159pb ex-KWV, Paarl

Miles Mossop Chapter Three 2021
R295pb ex-cellar, Banghoek-Stellenbosch

Raats Eden High Density Single Vyd 2021
R975pb ex-producer, Polkadraai-Stellenbosch

Raats Family Old Vine 2021
R395pb ex-producer, Polkadraai-Stellenbosch

Rall Ava 2021
R495pb ex-producer, Malmesbury

Roodekrantz Donkermaan 2021
R370pb ex-cellar, Wellington

Ses’Fikile Chenin Blanc Roussanne 2021
R83pb ex-producer, Stellenbosch

Slanghoek Legends Barrel Fermented 2019
R196pb ex-cellar, Breedekloof

Survivor Reserve 2020
R330pb ex-Overhex, Worcester

Thorne & Daughters Cat’s Cradle 2021
R350pb ex-cellar, Bot River

Zevenwacht Z 2021
R270pb ex-cellar, Kuils River