ONE OF the top dozen or so SA Chenins over the past 10 years, Spier 21 Gables' Master Award with the 2022 vintage at the 2024 Global Chenin Blanc Masters in the UK followed gold at the 2023 Masters with the 2021 vintage, 96 points in Platter's SA Wine Guide for the 2020, a Top 10 spot in the Chenin Blanc Challenge with the 2019, not to mention numerous double golds for a spread of vintages at the Veritas Awards. And such is the depth of quality and interest value of the Stellenbosch estate's Chenin portfolio that, at less than half the price of the 21 Gables, Spier's Good Natured Organic 2023 also achieved a Master Award at the 2024 Global Chenin Blanc Masters, with the 2022 vintage striking gold at the 2023 Masters… Impressive. Top-notch organic Chenin at under R150 a bottle!
Spier has access to fruit both on the home farm in Stellenbosch as well as elsewhere in the Cape winelands. The winemakers are empowered to venture far and wide in their quest for the ‘perfect' terroir, and to make the 21 Gables Chenin involves a vineyard on the Tygerberg hills outside Cape Town. “At one point, the vines were going to be uprooted,” says cellarmaster Johan Jordaan. “Luckily, we recognised their potential and resurrected the vineyard… I call it the ‘Lazarus' vineyard… It continues to reward us vintage after vintage.”
SPIER GOOD NATURED ORGANIC CHENIN BLANC 2023
WO Coastal Region. Viticulture involved no artificial pesticides, fungicides and fertilisers. Grapes sourced from both trellised and bush vines between 15 and 25 years old and managed to international organic standards. Vines planted in decomposed granite soils with a high clay concentration. Grapes harvested at optimal ripeness, destemmed and crushed into stainless-steel tanks to retain freshness and concentrate fruit aromas. The wine spent four months on the lees (spent yeast sediment) to enhance its structure and boost flavour development.
Alc 12.3 | RS 2.9 | TA 5.4 | pH 3.5
From the Producer's Tasting Notes: Delicate gold colour, lemon-rind rim. On the nose: plenty to offer, including quince, citrus and stone fruit. On the palate: exotic fruit like litchi and pineapple leading to a refreshing, zesty finish.
Pairing Suggestions: Chicken Pad Thai, fish and chips, or avocado and smoked trout salad.
R115pb ex-cellar, Vlottenburg-Stellenbosch
SPIER 21 GABLES CHENIN BLANC 2022
WO Cape Town: Tygerberg, Durbanville, close proximity to Atlantic Ocean, Malmesbury shale soil. Dryland vines (unirrigated), planted in 1983. Grapes hand-picked in five parcels at different ripeness levels with a view to complexity. Fruit cooled before hand-sorting, destemming and crushing. Only free-run juice used. Fermentation took place in a combination of 300L, 400L, 500L and 2500L tight-grain French-oak barrels. Matured for 10 to 12 months in barrels (50% new, 50% second-fill).
Alc 14.5 | RS 5.6 | TA 6.4 | pH 3.4
From the Producer's Tasting Notes: Pale lemon-gold in colour; fresh and pure style. Ripe peach, pear, litchi and melon fruit aromas, balanced with notes of citrus rind and white coriander spice. luscious palate; lingering acidity and a dense fruit core on the finish with complexity and texture. Enjoy now or cellar for up to 10 years.
Pairing Suggestions: Crisp, caramelised pork belly, or duck breast with fynbos hone and spices, or smoked West Coast mussels, or a flavourful vegetable Korma curry.
R320pb ex-cellar, Vlottenburg-Stellenbosch
One Response
Spier Good Natured Organic Chenin Blanc 2023. The wine shows a pale, lemon-yellow hue and pineapple, lemon zest and custard aromatics, with hints of flat-leaf parsley and forest honey. The elegant, light-body palate is linear, well-defined and intensely flavoured, framed by bracing acidity and a hint of creamy lees. The lingering finish has a touch of astringency adding grip and texture. No hurry: the wine will develop and improve.
Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2022. Pale gold-hued, the wine displays golden apple, guava and peach flavours, with smoky wood and honey notes. Dry, midweight, the rich palate is balanced by zesty acidity and a hint of astringency, giving a little added grip and leading to a savoury finish.