Glen Carlou “The Curator’s Collection” Chenin Blanc 2013

Wine of Origin: Swartland

Winery: Glen Carlou, Paarl

Winemaker: Arco Laarman

Background: To celebrate Arco’s 20 years of wine making at Glen Carlou, a new wine range called “The Curator’s Collection” was launched last week. Comprising of three single cultivar wines made from Chenin Blanc, Malbec and Tannat, with a limited production for each wine standing between 500 and 1500 bottles. There are plans afoot to increase the range in the near future with a Viognier and a Cabernet Franc.

The Chenin was particularly interesting having being produced from 30-year-old bush vines which Arco sourced from a premium vineyard in the Swartland. After fermentation in wood the wine spent 11 months in second- and third-fill oak barrels prior to bottling, and comes with an acceptable alcohol content of 12.5%.

Result: Bright pale straw colour with gorgeous aromas of acacia honey, winter melon and peach. On the palate there is a delicious rich lemon creaminess followed by subtle savory vanilla on the long finish.

When to drink: Now till 2018

Drink with what: We enjoyed it with quail ballontine prepared by Chef Johan Stander at Glen Carlou… But try it with shellfish and poultry.

Expect to pay: R98 (from the winery)

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