THERE WERE 75 single-variety South African Chenins submitted for assessment in Winemag's 2024 Prescient Chenin Blanc Report, with 49 rated 90-plus and three of these regarded as particularly outstanding, worthy of 95 according to the panel's 100-point scoring system. However, their favourite among the top three, the Best Overall: Flagstone Paradigm Chenin Blanc 2023. This from a producer in the Top Wine SA Hall of Fame – no strangers to glowing reviews, although when it comes to white wines they've tended to be accolades for their Sauvignon Blancs and Sauvignon Semillon blends.
Following a spot among the Top 10 in the 2023 Chenin Blanc Challenge with the 2020, the 2023 is only the second vintage of the Paradigm – a wine made from grapes grown in a 45-year-old, Certified Heritage Vineyard on the Wellington side of Paarl, the fruit trucked across the Stellenbosch winelands to the Flagstone cellar on the Strand side of Somerset West. According to Winemag panel chair Christian Eedes: “The palate is elegant and refined – pure fruit, fresh acidity and super-dry finish. Intricate and wonderfully poised.”
FLAGSTONE PARADIGM CHENIN 2023
WO Agter-Paarl. Vineyard planted in 1979. 52% of the fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks and 48% in 300L oak barrels, 88% French and 12% Hungarian, 65% first-fill. Total production: 4750 bottles.
Alc 13.5 | RS 2.4 | TA 6.1 | pH 3.3
Cellarmaster Gerhard Swart's Tasting Notes: Dry (5 out of 5) and full-bodied (5 out of 5). Brilliant gold with a green tint. Complex aromas of peach and dried fruit, with a hint of lime. On the palate, stone fruit follows through from the bouquet, with a dusting of mixed spice and finishing with a well-balanced, crisp acidity.
Cellaring: Enjoy upon release or keep for up to five years after vintage.
Pairing: A perfect accompaniment to seafood and spicy dishes.
R286pb ex-cellar.
