A hat-trick for Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc
Spier’s 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2016 has been recognised as one of South Africa’s best Chenin Blanc’s through its inclusion in the annual Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge. It continues a winning streak at Spier for the varietal: in previous years, the same competition has included the 2014 and 2015 vintages, while in 2014 it included the Woolworths Spier Private Collection 2013.
The 21 Gables Chenin Blanc is a wine of outstanding pedigree. The 2015 vintage received Best in Class Chenin Blanc at The Alberta Beverage Awards among other prizes, while 2014’s medal haul included double platinum at the Top 100 SA Wines. This consistent acclaim is testament to the passion, dedication and experience of Cellar Master Frans Smit, a member of the prestigious Cape Winemakers Guild who has worked at Spier since 1995.
A stipulation of the Top 10 Challenge that the prize money must be used to reinforce the economic and social benefits in the workplace. Spier will be donating its R25,000 prize money to community initiatives in Wellington, near the Nooitgedacht farm. These initiatives will be focused on education-based funding to support the development of farm worker children.
About the 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2016
The rich and complex 2016 vintage has been crafted with grapes handpicked from 43-year-old vines which produce grapes with thicker skins from a single vineyard in the Tygerberg region. Matured for 14 months in French oak, the result is a Chenin Blanc with superb flavour intensity and excellent ageing potential.
The Chenin has soft aromas of dried apricots and ripe tropical fruit, with an oak and vanilla undertow. On the palate, there is good acidity and rounded rich flavours of white flesh peaches, almond paste and hints of cream. Smit recommends enjoying it with oriental-style crisp pork belly or Cape-style pickled fish.
About the range
Spier 21 Gables is a range of single varietal wines that represent both the conditions of each vintage and the nuance of terroir. The name pays tribute to the farm’s 300-year winemaking heritage and the unique architectural legacy: an unrivalled 21 Cape Dutch Gables. Forming the cornerstone of this range is a barrel-fermented and matured Chenin Blanc and a Pinotage.
