Ken Forrester (South Africa) Hand-made Chenin Blanc 2005
Ken Forrester is one of South Africa’s most experienced winemakers, and a genius when it comes to coaxing fantastic, well-priced wines from the Chenin Blanc grape here in Stellenbosch. I was lucky enough to have dinner with him in Stellenbosch last year, and he was rather disgruntled that his excellent ‘Petit Chenin’ had been de-listed by Oddbins. Thankfully, this absolutely delicious new cuvee is now in Thresher at 5.99, and with their permanent ‘3 for 2’ on all wines, that brings the price down to less than 4 if you snap up three bottles of this engaging wine. It has a toffeed, honeyed nose, with orange and some lanolin, buttery notes and fine, pear skin fruit qualities. The palate has lovely limpid fruitiness, with real richness of guava and passionfruit, but all cut by shimmering apple acidity and a hint of custard in the finish. With good length and perfect, succulent balance, this is delightful stuff. 5.99 Wine Rack.