Sonya Casley told that she fell in love with Chenin Blanc during a stay in Loire France. I have never tasted a Chenin from Loire, indeed the best Chenin I’ve ever tasted was a 2005 Single Vineyard ‘The Optimist’ from Coriole in McLaren Vale. This wine is unlike that one which had a textural cucumber palate but it is nonetheless impressive.
A light to slightly yellow straw colour in the glass with glints of gold, quite developed colours for a young white.
The bouquet of this young chenin is a lovely soft sensual massage accompanied with bursts of tingling invigorating fruit. The very lifted redolent factors are floral and gentle and then comes the stronger announcement from citrus and tangy tropicals which enliven the experience with some enthusiasm.
The palate certainly presents the fruit tang evident in the bouquet with a complex of tropicals, mandarins and a little kiwifruit, citrus both lemon and lime swirl through the energetic palate and with some lime rind qualities, lurking a little underneath the excited tang and impatiently trying to express itself are some melons – perhaps honeydew. The acidity is young and refreshing and lemony and drives the palatal experience to appreciable length. Despite the tang and the refreshing acidity the wine does have some textural quality contributed by the melon characters which produce some effect but unsuccessfully attempt to tame the tropicals and citrus.
As far as I’m aware Grant and Sonya have the only Chenin Blanc vines in The Granite Belt GI. Judging from this wine planting the variety was an astute choice. Many people will be familiar with The Coriole Estate Chenin Blanc which will cellar a long time but which is a different creature to this one. The fruit/acidity/overall balance suggests that this wine will go a few years so I’m going to open my only other one when it turns ten and I’ve seen enough of this 2021 to now be convinced our relationship won’t dampen in a decade.
Tasted: Saturday 11th September, 2021 without food and then with over several hours.
Alcohol: 11.3%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $35
Suggested Drinking Window: 2021 – 2036
Winemaker: Grant Casley
Fruit Source: Estate
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