Our Wine of the Week is the legendary Ken Forrester Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc 2023.
In Stellenbosch, situated on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain, Ken Forrester grows some of the most spectacular Chenin Blanc in the world. He has become a stalwart of the South African wine landscape; for 30 years the estate has been producing under the label that bears his name. “Mr Chenin”, as Ken has become known due to his commitment to this cultivar, has a keen focus on cool climate varieties like Syrah, Grenache and, of course, Chenin Blanc. He and his team make some of South Africa’s most stunning red and white wines, like the FMC and Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc.
Ken Forrester Wines manages their vineyards in a sustainable manner. They farm sustainably with no herbicides or pesticides. They till by hand; they prune thin bunches and leaves all by hand; and finally they harvest by hand. These hugely labour-intensive practices create several jobs, improving the quality of life in their community. Ken Forrester’s philosophy is to create a range of handcrafted, individually made wines that suitably complement a wide variety of food styles and provide excellent value.
With their Reserve Range, they are solely responsible for the cultivation of the vines and selection of the fruit, mostly from their family property in Stellenbosch, just 5 km from the cool Atlantic Ocean. This range includes wines from older vineyards, showing more depth of character and concentration. They are ideal food wines, with structure and elegance.
Our Wine of the Week is the Ken Forrester Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc 2023 from the Reserve Range, described as a “true benchmark for relaxed enjoyment”.
This Chenin Blanc is sustainably produced from grapes that are mostly grown at Ken Forrester Vineyards, on the lower slopes of the Helderberg Mountain. The rest of the grapes come from old vineyards in the Bottelary Hills and Vlaeberg regions. The Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc is hand harvested in two selections – one batch naturally fermented on French oak barrels and a second batch fermented in stainless steel to preserve the freshness and the fruit.
“Our philosophy has always been to create a range of sustainable, handcrafted wines that suitably complement a wide variety of food styles. The Old Vine Reserve Chenin has generous but soft flavours with sufficient body to enhance even spicy and full-flavoured meals,” explains Ken.
The Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc 2023 is golden hued and full bodied, with melon and spicy baked apple aromas. Layered, with mineral notes enhanced by honeycomb and caramel flavours from lees contact. This wine is a great example of the harmonious balance which can be achieved between fruit and delicate oak/vanilla flavours as they combine to form complex, soft flavours.
The Ken Forrester Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc can be served with varied spicy dishes as well as full flavoured fish or chicken dishes. It’s ideal with crayfish or prawns.
Shop this wine on wine.co.za’s online wine store, tastewine.co.za.
Wine estate name: Ken Forrester Vineyards
Location: Helderberg, Stellenbosch, Western Cape
In Collaboration with: wine.co.za
