South Africa: New releases

The Family White is a blend of Chenin Blanc alongside Grenache Blanc, Verdelho, Roussanne, Palomino and Semillon. It shows the classic tautness of the Paardeberg’s granite soils, but with a few years in bottle, it flourishes, becoming waxy, mineral, honeyed but yet still savoury. This is stunning. Orchard fruit, grapefruit and a hint of cinnamon. This is so complex, so much tension and a finish that lasts an age. Brilliant.

The Klipkop Chenin Blanc is planted next door to the Golden Slopes vineyard. Planted two years earlier, in 1966, it’s a richer, more fruit forward expression of Chenin: there's richness but also delicacy on the finish. So much to like here.

The Golden Slopes Chenin Blanc vineyard is situated at the very entrance of the Kalmoesfontein estate, with vines planted in 1968. It takes its name from the large yellow granite blocks that you’ll find in the vineyards, and is a taut, mineral expression of Chenin Blanc.