2015 Skaliekop Chenin Blanc
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Tasting notes
Made from dry-farmed bush vines planted in 1985 on the Paardebosch farm. From a small hill (kop) of shale (skalie) soil. Whole-bunch pressed, minimal SO 2 during short cold-settling, before being racked to barrel for spontaneous fermentation (including malolactic conversion). Aged in two old 300-litre French barrels. Production 390 bottles. Natural cork. Tasted blind. Sweet, with some rather obvious oak. Quite potent but dramatic. The residual sugar sticks out a bit, but still it’s fun to drink. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2015 Chenin Blanc Skaliekop has a richer nose compared to its peers, with more tropical scents here: passion fruit and pineapple chunks, though with continued aeration it manifests more delineated and warm slate aromas. The palate is well balanced with good depth, fresh, good weight and a "sunny" Chenin Blanc: yellow plum and light peachy notes leading to a phenolic finish that draws you back for more. Ever improving in the glass, I keep upping my score. Tasted blind at the 10-Year-On horizontal in London.
Only 380 bottles made. This is the vintage that David Sadie thought should be showing best because it was such an easy growing season but actually it was the least impressive bottle in this line-up of four vintages from this vineyard. Firm, much 'heavier' on the nose than the 2016. Very slightly fat on the palate with some alcohol evident on the finish. A very good wine but not quite as impressive on the day as the 2016 and 2014. (JR)