Chenin blancs are one of those wine that can be all over the map. I am discovering more and more wines like that. It’s likely to do with how “crafted” the wine is coupled with the heavy influence of Terroir on a wine. Some Chenins are really sweet (really not to my tastes), others are quite acidic. This one is right smack dab in the middle. The color is on the lighter side of golder. It has a lovely bit of sweetness to it, good fruit and a medium finish. The oaks and alcohol are well balanced. I get some nice acidity with apple and pear flavors coming through. I would give this a 90ish … Back in May I bought 6 of these and they are rewarding me well. They are a versatile wine that a lot of people like, even those who don’t often like wine!
From the LCBO web site:
LAMMERSHOEK BARRIQUE CHENIN BLANC 2007 WO Swartland South Africa produces some of the best Chenin Blanc wines in the world and this is a great example. With grapes hand-picked from 40-year-old bush vines and hand-sorted to ensure only the very best fruit is used, Lammershoek’s Chenin Blanc is the embodiment of a hand-crafted wine. Rich with honey, smoke and baked apple aromas, this dry, full-bodied wine is elegant and complex and will pair well with rich seafood, roast chicken and pastas in a cream sauce. Featured May 24th 2008 058206 (XD) 750 mL $18.95 Featured 5/24/2009.
Winecurrent.com wrote:
This displays elegance and finesse and is not to be passed by. Aromas of honeyed tree fruit and mangos waft from the glass while rich full flavours drench the palateGÇöquince caramel honeyed ripe pear and cleansing key lime on the refreshing finish. Medium bodied and fleshy in texture it pairs well with pan-seared garlic prawns on a bed of baby arugula. A dazzling wine. (VH) (58206) Rating 4.5/5
