It’s been awhile since I’ve posted, I should be somewhat more frequent now. During my absence I’ve been drinking non-Granite Belt wines to recalibrate my palate and to more appreciatively notice what is truly different about Granite Belt Grapes.
I’ve also been imbibing in some French Chenins especially some from Des Baumard e.g. 2018 Clos de Saint Yves and 2009/2013 Clos du Papillon, those wines are enjoyable but they are significantly different to Granite Belt Chenin Blanc.
This Chenin Blanc from Grant and Sonya Casley unmistakably expresses its Granite Belt origins – characteristics which are ineluctable when winemakers apply a gentle hand to let the fruit talk its terroir.
The young Chenin is a delicate and subdued lemon colour in the glass, very clear and bright. It greets your olfactory with tingling lemons, nashi pears and green apples, abundant tropicals tickle and then there is a gentle subjugating melon like influence, perhaps just so you don’t get over excited!
A vigorous tantalising palate awaits you with initial honeydew melons, nectarines and golden kiwifruit which seem to be wrap around citrus zest which amplifies the flavours as soon as they are exposed. The acidity is vibrant and refreshing and a little lemony imparting a mouthwatering razzing and enjoyable palatal experience. Underlying all this delightful fruit and acid lurks a trademark Granite Belt endowment a complexing of the fruit and acid with freshly crushed granite minerals. A wine such as this gifts you a genuine joy especially in our current warm and often humid Queensland climate.
The Chenin Blancs from the Loire Valley don’t exhibit the same vibrancy and lift as this lovely wine from Casley Mount Hutton Winery, comparatively they are a little subdued. Granite Belt white wines in good vintages are characterised by both vibrant excitable fruit, lovely refreshing acidity and freshly crushed granitic minerals. I have been very impressed with the 2021 Granite Belt white wines and now this 2022 Chenin Blanc has me wondering about an excellent 2022 white vintage.
Tasted: Saturday 11th February, 2023 without food and then with over several hours.
Alcohol: 11.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $38
Suggested Drinking Window: 2023 – 2036
Winemaker: Grant Casley
Fruit Source: Estate
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