Two Final South African Chenin Blanc Wines for Drink Chenin Day

Today, June 17, 2022, is Drink Chenin Day. South Africa is a major producer of quality Chenin Blanc wine. I have posted 4 Chenin Blanc wines earlier on mywinepal to help you celebrate this day, and now I have my final two South African Chenin Blanc wines can you can try.

I have the Boschendal Sommelier Selection Chenin Blanc 2021 (unoaked) and the Bellingham Limited Release The Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2019 (oaked). You can’t go wrong with either wine.

My Wine Tasting Notes

Boschendal Sommelier Selection Chenin Blanc 2021 (BC $24.98)

The grapes were handpicked, cold fermented and left on the secondary lees to add complexity and mouthfeel. The Sommelier Selection according to the winery, “Food and Wine has been part of the day to day lives of South Africans for over 350 years.
As part of our 330th anniversary at Boschendal we are very proud to introduce a new range of wines specifically made to be enjoyed with food.”

Appearance: A medium intensity bright straw colour.
Nose: Medium-minus intensity aromas of more fresh stone fruit aromas, with lesser amounts of citrus/lime, and grape stem. Plus a hint of lychee with swirling. The lime aroma becomes strong with decanting, you still get the stone fruits and grape stem aromas. You can add honey and subtract lychee aroma.
Palate: Very slightly off-dry, medium-plus body with a round, soft, thicker mouthfeel. Lighter acidity. Stone fruit flavours primarily with lesser apple, then a touch of green fruit and pepperiness toward the finish. The wine takes on floral and/or apple blossom aromas along with lime, stone fruits, and green fruit flavours. Less apple and pepperiness.
Finish: A medium-plus length finishing with light intensity flavours of citrus and peach and a touch of honey. The wine becomes more steely on the finish with decanting.

I think I enjoyed the undecanted version of this wine a bit more, but there is no issue if you don’t finish the wine till the next day.

Rating:

–

A medium bright straw colour. Very slightly off-dry. Soft and smooth with a thicker mouth-filling feel. Fresh stone fruits and a touch of apple followed by green fruit and pepperiness. Lingering flavours of citrus and peach and a touch of honey.

Boschendal Sommelier Selection Chenin Blanc 2021 and Bellingham Limited Release The Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2019 with wine in glasses

Bellingham Limited Release The Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2019 (BC $30.98)

According to the winery, “The Bernard Series is our tribute to the determination and maverick spirit of Bellingham’s co-founder Bernard Podlashuk. Celebrated as a trail-blazing visionary, Bernard’s tenacity and courage established the winery’s stellar reputation and helped shape the South African wine industry we know and love today.”

Appearance: Deep bright golden colour.
Nose: Medium-plus intensity aromas of roasted pears and pineapple, citrus, butterscotch and toastiness. No change in aromas after decanting.
Palate: Dry, fuller body with a thick, round, viscous mouthfeel. Roasted pears and pineapple flavours, plus medium intensity toast and butterscotch, and light oak. No change in flavours with decanting.
Finish: Medium-plus length finishing with a buttery mouthfeel. Butterscotch and roasted pineapple flavours, plus oak and a touch of pepperiness at the very end. A little less peppery on the finish with decanting.

This wine does not change much with decanting, so just open and enjoy.

Rating:

–

A deep bright golden colour. Dry, fuller body with a thick, round mouthfeel. Roasted pears and pineapple, plus toast and butterscotch flavours. Medium-plus length finishing with roasted pineapple, butterscotch and a touch of oak and pepperiness.

Have you noticed the beaded South African flag in my pictures of these wines? Several years ago, these beaded flags were given out at the Vancouver International Wine Festival when South Africa was the theme country. The beaded flags were made by children in South Africa who lost their parents due to AIDS. The children I believe were being raised by their grandparents. I hope these children, who are probably late teenagers now are doing well and remember their parents.