Tasting No tes for Val du Charron Chennin Blanc
Val du Charron Chenin Blanc (wooded) - $18.99< /strong>
Wellington, South Africa, 2009
Known as Steen in South Africa, this is the most w idely planted white grape there, accounting for one in five vines planted a nd represents 53% of the world’s Chenin Blanc vines. Perhaps the worlds mos t versatile white, it can be vinified in a variety of styles from sweeter t o drier, as well as made into sherry and sparkling wine. The Val du Charron Chenin Blanc is wooded, giving it a rich and round texture. The first few sips are like honey on toast with baked Granny Smith apples and is a wine t hat can age for several years. The palate is big, but not fat, held well in check by excellent balancin g acids. And there’s some early maturity with modified Chenin Blanc fruit f lavours already becoming honeyed. The oak adds some nice toasty notes that are very complimentary.
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Wellington, South A frica
Many of you know Jesse Balsimo that is now the National Sales Mana ger for Val du Charron. Located less than an hour from Cape Town is Wellin gton (named when Napolean defeated the Duke of Wellington) and overlooking the Bovlei Valley, lies the Va l du Charron Wine and Olive Estate, with great views of the majestic Hawequa Mountains nearby. The orig inal farm was proclaimed in 1699, around the same time that French Huguenot s settled in the area, bringing with them the art of wine making. The South African estate is now owned by American brothers Craig and Stuart Entwistl e and Stuart's wife Cathy, who bought it after it had been abandoned for 20 years. They bulldozed the farm when they bought it and the only vines that could be salvaged were the Chenin Blanc. Now they produce super-premium wi nes. This is just a taste of what the Wine Club trip to South Africa in 2 015 will be like! Mark your Calendars: January
DTSTAMP:20260430T183509Z DTSTART:20140510 DTEND:20140510 SEQUENCE:0 TRANSP:OPAQUE END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR