Bellingham The Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2017

Bellingham The Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanctext

90POINTS

16^½/20

Coastal Region, South AfricaThis Old Vine chenin blanc is sourced from across South Africa’s Coastal Region, including Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Darling, from vines ranging from 35 to 47 years old. After whole-bunch pressing, the wine was matured for 12 months in French oak (50 percent new) with extended lees contact and regular battonage. This is not as overtly tropical as chenin blanc from South Africa can often be. Rather, it leans more towards a Savennières-inspired style with lanolin, wool, and orange blossom. It comes across more oxidative than you’d expect for such a young vintage, and the barrel aging certainly could have something to do that, though I find the wine carries the new oak quite well. However, the richness and breadth on the palate certainly points to a warmer climate. There’s good complexity here, with concentration that is above the norm. Good value.Tasted: 11 January 2020Tasted by: Prices:

$23.99

750ml

BCLS

Producer: Bellingham - DGBDistributors: Andrew Peller Import Agency
Grape: Chenin BlancCSPC: 897710UPC: 6001506904674

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