Van Lill Chenin Blanc

"Another unique vineyard site that is on its way to becoming decoded by Mark and his team is this low-yielding old vine certified Chenin Blanc vineyard. It has already reached cult status through the immaculate guidance of Eben Sadie & Paul Jordaan under the Skurfberg label, as well as Chris Alheit and his Magnetic North. Yes, it´s tough to play in the Champions League, sharing the same vineyard with these wine-magicians. However, the motivation for closing in on the gap behind two of the most awarded white wines in the Cape is definitely keeping the momentum up. It takes a lot of confidence to fully allow a site of this pedigree to express its delicate, understated power. 800 liters doesn´t give you much room to play with a diversity of containers, and it might be tempting to elevate its inherent subtlety with a little help from a new oak barrel which opens up the wine a bit earlier. Helping to reduce the number of sleepless nights as the wine stays humbly muted. I tasted the 2021 vintage still in tank to be released later this year, showing incredible nerve while maintaining the truthful unassuming character of the vineyard.Pear, hay, chamomile, and fennel seeds mixed with a delicate note of freshly squeezed lemon juice adding a zesty nerve to its restrained, yet confident personality. Far from shouty, yet with such focused intensity on the palate. Creamy texture with subtle notes of oak, finishing off with a saline tang. A wine that has so much to tell you, if you can reward it with time in the glass." - Madeleine Stenwreth MW