PROVENANCE CHENIN BLANC IN SOUTH AFRICA

Since the days of Simon van der Stel, the land at L'Avenir has been planted with vines. In 1992, Mauritian born Marc Wiehe bought the farm and founded L'Avenir and by 1997, the farm was ranked best at that year's Chenin Blanc Challenge. Paying tribute to the terroir of Stellenbosch, L'Avenir focuses primarily on producing the heritage Chenin Blanc and the innovative, local varietal, Pinotage. Vintage: a vintage where the Chenin Blanc vines prospered under ripening conditions that allowed a healthy delivery of grapes to the cellar. Grapes were harvested a month earlier than normal, thus this abnormal occurrence led to very healthy grapes and the earliers harvest in 50 years for the industry. Grape varieties: 100% Chenin Blanc Tasting: a full palate abundant with rich flavours of ripe pineapple, juicy pear and melon combined with delicate honey and toasted almond from partial fermentation in oak casks. The gentle acidity ensures this wine remains refreshing and crisp and an ideal accompaniment to seafood or poultry on a sun-filled summer’s day. Appearance: a crisp pale straw yellow with a beautiful clarity Nose: precise and intense fruit aromas of ripe pineapple and melon, accented by subtle honey and toasted almonds from 40% wood contact and batonage, lees stirring. Palate: full and rich with a complex roundness and refreshing acidity that creates a memorable and elegant finish, with a slight minerality to the end