Bellingham, The Bernard Series Chenin Blanc, Coastal Region, South Africa 2021

Named after maverick South African winemaker Bernard Podlashuk, who helped put South African wine on the map, this showcases a classic style: old-vine South African Chenin Blanc. These are 40-year-old bush vines, grown on poor granitic soils on mountain-top vineyards. The yields are low, adding to the wine's concentration, and the grapes have been fermented in steel then aged in oak for nine months. Keenly priced, it shows good typicity, with pronounced lemon curd and tropical fruit depth, and an attractive oak spice and toastiness. If you aren't familiar with old-vine Chenin, this is a great introduction to the style.