Mullineux Old Vine Chenin Blanc

South Africa is able to produce high quality wines even though it’s stinking hot- how do you ask? A few reasons - the Benguela Current from Antarctica provides brisk ocean breezes as well as cooler, high-elevation vineyard sites provides an evening ripening conditions and retention of acidity. Enter their signature white varietal, Chenin Blanc.

Chenin Blanc (aka Steen in South Africa) is a chameleon grape varietal - it can can shine in every style from bone dry to unctuously sweet, oaked or unoaked, still or sparkling. It’s most striking quality is it’s searing, crescendo acidity that just hums in your mouth leaving you feeling oh so happy.

Chenin Blanc is the darling of the Loire Valley BUT Fun Fact, South Africa has double the amount of acreage of Chenin Blanc planted than France.

Mullineux a small, family-run boutique winery. They handcraft beautiful wines with the love and affection as they would treat another member of the family. Located in the rolling hills of Swartland, South Africa filled with ideal soils of granite and shale. Kloof Street Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2019, is from 40 years old average vines, sustainably farmed. They follow a less is more principal - the least amount of intervention to showcase the natural expression of the terroir and varietals, this wine is whole bunch pressed, naturally fermented in neutral oak barrels with minimal SO2 addition.

Pale lemon color with fresh aromas of lemon, lime, orange blossom, pear, hay, honeysuckle, grapefruit and wet stone. Palate is well balanced with an energetic acidity that lovely amplifies the fresh cut lemon, lime, hay, honeysuckle, honey, pear, bruised apple, grapefruit, nectarine, wet stone, saline, ginger, minerals,m. It has a creamy texture yet lively refreshing at the same time.

There was no question that this wine would sing fried cashews, smoked trout with coriander creme fraiche, chicken breasts stuffed with triple cream brie or grilled peppercorn crusted pork chop.