Botanica
Mary Delany Chenin Blanc 2017
Cape Heritage
About the SessionA selection of South Africa’s finest wines, inspired by our rich wine heritage and the unique character of the Cape Winelands. Chenin Blanc is celebrated for its remarkable versatility, producing an exceptional range of wine styles, particularly in South Africa, home to the oldest Chenin Blanc vines in the world. These historic vineyards continue to produce wines of great diversity, elegance, and ageing potential. The Pinotage selection showcases leading producers, all of whom have become consistent flag bearers for this proudly South African variety.
About this Item
Each of the labels depicts a botanical collage created by British artist Mary Delany. These remarkable works of art were hand crafted in the late 1700s using hundreds of tiny pieces of cut paper.
The Mary Delany Collection Chenin Blanc is produced from vines approaching 60 years of age grown at elevation near Clanwilliam in the Citrusdal Mountain ward, a cool, high-altitude site whose combination of old vines, low yields and fine mountain air produces whites of extraordinary mineral precision and herbal complexity. The wine is barrel-fermented in old French oak and aged on the lees with minimal intervention.
Provenance
The late David Brice was a respected wine connoisseur, collector and co-founder of Brice and Burnett – The Fine Wine Specialists (formerly Wine Cellar). His lifelong passion for wine from all corners of the world wine, and generosity, helped develop a culture of fine wine in South Africa and beyond. Always with value and authenticity in mind, the collection spans a wide range of styles from leading producers and diverse regions. The wines were professionally imported under refrigeration and carefully stored at Brice and Burnett (formerly Wine Cellar) thereafter. Many of the producers are not available in South Africa and provide an excellent buying opportunity.
For more detailed information on the lots, please feel free to contact Roland Peens (roland@briceandburnett.co.za). Roland spent many years sharing and enjoying these wines with David Brice and is happy to provide further insight into the collection.
Critics Ratings
'The characterful Henk Laing supplies the grapes for this world class Chenin Blanc from Citrusdal Mountain. Focused, pithy, taut and intense, with very subtle oak, pear and Braeburn apple and an incredible, lip-smacking mineral core. 2019-28.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2018, 96/100
Very dense nose. Rich front palate and very welcome after an array of rather austere, embryonic, southern coastal whites. Complete and far from a silly price.' - Jancis Robinson, JancisRobinson.com, 17/20 (Sep 2019)
'The 2017 The Mary Delany Collection is pure Chenin Blanc from the Citrusdal Mountains and saw no new wood. It has a fresh nose of Conference pea and red apple mixed with a touch of gooseberry and beeswax. The palate is well balance, with a lovely, pure pear and gooseberry opening tinged with black currant leaf. I admire the tension and freshness of this Chenin Blanc, and it displays good weight and intensity toward the finish. Very fine.' - Neal Martin, Vinous, 91/100 (Aug 2018)
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