Momento, Chenin Blanc Verdelho, Western Cape, 2015

This is the second vintage from Marelise Niemann, who practices very hands-off winemaking from her Bot River winery with purchased grapes. Just 3,800 bottles have been made (labels drawn by her husband Hennie) and the Chenin portion is up by 6% in 2015 – a vintage she says is the best ever. This leaves just 9% of Verdelho, which still helps this wine to stand apart from the crowd. Beautifully sweet citrus fruit, jasmine and peach fuzz on the firm yet creamy and weighty palate are lifted by a crisp green apple acidity. Pure, focused and elegant.

This is the second vintage from Marelise Niemann, who practices very hands-off winemaking from her Bot River winery with purchased grapes. Just 3,800 bottles have been made (labels drawn by her husband Hennie) and the Chenin portion is up by 6% in 2015 – a vintage she says is the best ever. This leaves just 9% of Verdelho, which still helps this wine to stand apart from the crowd. Beautifully sweet citrus fruit, jasmine and peach fuzz on the firm yet creamy, weighty palate are lifted by a crisp green apple acidity. Pure, focussed and elegant.