Critics Ratings

‘Never Been Asked to Dance - Duncan Savage's way of describing the wallflower reputation of Chenin Blanc - hails from 65-year-old bush vines in Paarl and is his best release yet. Pure, linear, focused and very lightly wooded, it has white pepper and gunflint notes and a lingering, saline finish. 2022-28’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2021, 96/100

'64 year old Paarl chenin. Wholebunch, wild yeast ferment (as all save Red), 2020 is about stonefruit, fresh & dried, bolstered by oak’s lovely roasted almond perfume & flavours. The acid’s right too, adding vitality, ending on a mineral note.' – Platter's SA Wine Guide 2022, 5* (95/100)

‘With the high Sauvignon Blanc component, the aromatics show a pronounced spicy, herby, savoury tinged array of waxy green apples, white citrus, clementine, honied chamomile and root fennel with subtle hints of dried fynbos and lanolin. The palate is masterfully rich and broad, coating all corners of the palate with intense, crystalline notes of spicy yellow grapefruit, freshly squeezed tangerines and white peach cordial notes. The acids are intense but wonderfully tangy adding to a real sense of textural harmony and mineral complexity. A very complete wine that races out the blocks and will undoubtedly give plenty of drinking pleasure immediately on release. Drink now and over the next 4 to 6+ years.’ - Greg Sherwood MW, 94/100 (Aug 2021)

‘Chenin Blanc from a Paarl vineyard planted in 1956. The nose is complex with notes of pear, peach, citrus, herbs and a hint of wet wool. The palate shows great clarity – concentrated fruit, punchy acidity and a savoury, slightly bitter finish. Manages to combine weight and texture with a particular energy.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 96/100 (Aug 2021)

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