Sadie Family
Mev Kirsten 2019
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
Mev Kirsten originates from the oldest Chenin Blanc vineyard in Stellenbosch, planted in 1920 at the foot of Botmanskop, South Africa's oldest known Chenin Blanc block: an extraordinary survivor farmed with biodynamic principles in deep, difficult, moisture-sensitive soils that produce wines of towering complexity, tannic grip and extraordinary longevity. The wine is a portion harvested early for freshness and fermented in 500-litre casks, blended with late-harvested old-vine fruit fermented in neutral foudre.
Provenance
Brice & Burnett Private Wine Client
Critics Ratings
''The 2019 Mev. Kirsten, which is pure Stellenbosch Chenin, is taut and precise on the nose, displaying a similar marine influence as the Kokerboom, plus touches of fern and lanolin. The saline, slightly nutty palate is supremely well balanced with a killer line of acidity and touches of sour lemon on the aftertaste. This deserves 4-5 years in bottle, as it has huge potential. A quite brilliant wine from guru Sadie.' - Neal Martin, Vinous, 96/100 (Apr 2021)
'Recent investment of time & labour in SA's oldest chenin block, in Stellenbosch, is paying dividends. 2019 serene, elegant, with seamless aromatic layers, apple blossom, white peach. Beautifully textured too, dense & silky, lit by electrifying acidity. 'Give this wine time' begs the team. Mesmerising, complete. Probably the best to date.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2021, 5* (98/100)
'There's only one foudre of this celebrated Chenin Blanc in 2019, alas, sourced from the oldest vineyard of the variety in the Cape. Now made in a more reductive, focused style than was the case in the early vintages, this has peach and pear fruit, subtle wood, effortless concentration, stony tension and palate length. Give it time to open up in the glass. 2022-29' - Tim Atkin SA Special Report 2020, 95/100
'From Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc. The merest hint of honeysuckle before naartjie, yellow peach plus subtle notes of bees' wax and fresh bread. The palate is powerful but supremely well balanced - impressive fruit concentration is matched by a good line of acidity before a savoury finish. Seems a little more reined in than previous vintages which serves it well.' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 95/100 (Feb 2021)
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