2019 Spioenkop, Johanna Brandt Chenin Blanc

Greg Sherwood 95

The ever-eccentric Belgian mastermind Koen Roose has long been regarded as a maverick winemaker as well as an inspired genius and this expressively rich, dense Chenin Blanc is another beautiful canvas for his incredible vinous art! Made from grapes sourced from a vineyard grown on Shale soils, it was matured for 11 months in old oak barrels and boasts exotic aromatics of yellow orchard fruits, honeysuckle, peaches and wet wool. This is not a Chenin Blanc for the fainthearted, bursting boldly forth with deliciously complex notes of caramelized peaches, guava roll, quince, pear puree and sweet, salty caramelized oak spice nuances. There are intricate textured layers of leesy biscuit, lemon pith, fleshy yellow fruits, and honied white peach that roll across a very relaxed, sumptuously concentrated palate with an underlying nervy acidity wrapping the whole expression into a very serious composition. A wine that offers up its heart and soul from the moment you pull the cork. Drink this beauty on release and over the next 5 to 8+ years. (Wine Safari Score: 95/100 Greg Sherwood MW) [Greg Sherwood, 01/01/2023]