Radford Dale, Vinum Chenin Blanc 750ml 2019

Tasting notes:
'Offering superb value for money at just R160, this is like a scaled-down rendition of Alex Dale's top wines. Taut and refreshing with wild yeast aromas and texture, a hint of oak spice and a core of crisp, tangy citrus and green apple fruit. Drink 2020-24.' – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2020, 92/100

'The gnarled old bush vines that produce this Chenin Blanc are planted in some of the purest granite soils on the foothills of the magnificent Helderberg Mountain in Stellenbosch. The vines are mainly grown without irrigation and on steep south-east-facing slopes close to False Bay and therefore well exposed and cooled by winds that come off the ocean during the long, hot summer. Grapes were picked by hand as well as manually sorted. Gentle destemming before equally gentle pressing in a pneumatic bag press. Settled in chilled stainless-steel tanks prior to alcoholic fermentation. This took place mainly in tank, on the lees, with about 40% of the must being transferred into burgundian barrels for spontaneous fermentation – an equal mix of new, second and third fill. There was also a small portion of skin contact. Screwcap.
More obvious winemaking here than in the Renaissance Chenin but all well integrated. Creamy apple fruit, pear, more evident oak than on the Renaissance. Creamy, rounded, generous and full of fruit, mouth-filling in spite of its low alcohol, and with lovely freshness as a counterpoint to the texture. Needs time to gain complexity. Lightly chewy texture and great balance.' – Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17/20

'Picked early, this has a very low alcohol of 11.5%. A small portion undergoing skin contact and lightly oaked. Subtle notes of pear, peach, citrus, apple and hay on the nose while the palate is lean and zippy with a very savoury finish. Not overly severe, this is super-refreshing to drink.' – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 91/100

'The fresh vibrancy of white peach and apple aromas on the nose, hint at the wine’s sophisticated elegance and a touch of cinnamon and adds to its complexity. A generous mid palate of quince, pineapple and a weighty feel reward while the bright acidity refreshes with an interesting tang and persistent clean, mineral finish.' – Winemaker

Alc: 11.5% | RS: 2.2 g/L | TA: 5.7 g/L | PH: 3.41

About Radford Dale:
Alex Dale and Ben Radford are the founders of Radford Dale. Alex and his team produce only the most individual, terroir-focused wines under the Radford Dale range. They own some vineyards but also co-managing parcels of the best vines with growers in other regions. They follow a minimal intervention winemaking approach and their dedication to nature, geology and climate is beautifully expressed in their wines.