So what kind of a Chenin Blanc fan are you?

[Paul B.]

Truthfully?

A rather infrequent one.

My favourite Chenin was very modest, but an amazing bargain. KWV made it, and it sold in Ontario for a mere $6.95 a bottle. Great stuff; very crisp and tasty, with pear flavours, zingy acidity, and balancing r.s. Haven't seen it here in years.

[Bob Parsons Alberta]

Great to see your thoughts Paul. I am sure that the Ontario board must carry a few from SA, have you looked around for the Lammershoeck? I think you would enjoy their Pinotage!

Here is a clue to which CB I am opening next......>

"Frankly my dear, I don't give a rat's arse". Know the movie?

[David Mc]

Just received this about the "world's greatest Chenin Blanc". Thoughts?

http://www.bassins.com/newsletters/2010/20101213/20101213.html

[Rahsaan]

Just received this about the "world's greatest Chenin Blanc". Thoughts?

Huet - Yes

Chidaine - Sometimes

Joly - No

[Bob Parsons Alberta]

Thanks David for posting this, will explore later!

[Tim York]

Just received this about the "world's greatest Chenin Blanc". Thoughts?

Huet - Yes

Chidaine - Sometimes

Joly - No

And Foreau - Yes, yes!

And spare a thought for growers of sweeties from Coteaux du Layon, e.g.Claude Papin at Ch. Pierre Bise.

[Rahsaan]

Just received this about the "world's greatest Chenin Blanc". Thoughts?

Huet - Yes

Chidaine - Sometimes

Joly - No

And Foreau - Yes, yes!

And spare a thought for growers of sweeties from Coteaux du Layon, e.g.Claude Papin at Ch. Pierre Bise.

Of course. But the offer he was asking about had wines from Huet, Chidaine, and Joly.

[David Mc]

Just received this about the "world's greatest Chenin Blanc". Thoughts?

Huet - Yes

Chidaine - Sometimes

Joly - No

I am a Vouvray CB fan!

I had 2007 Chidaine Vouvray Argiles tonight - wow! It was very rich and exploded with flavor - I was blown away. I don't recall such a dry white with such depth. My only other experience with CB was Kanu from South Africa - almost no flavor.

I'm hot to try the Huet next - but that will require a bit more coin (I paid $23 for the Chidaine).

Dave

[Bob Parsons Alberta]

Last night at the DeVines staff party (local winestore), we had the`07 Condrieu from Les Vins de Vienne. Very dry, ginger and honey on the nose with white flowers. Perfect match for the appetiser which was deep-fried ricotta and mozza balls with saffron. Yummy.

[Bob Parsons Alberta]

WTN: `08 Lammershoek Chenin Blanc, Swartland SA.
After reading TN from Tim York on the `07 Barrique, I managed to track down this bottle in a mum and pop operation here in Edmonton. There were two bottlers on the shelf but on a revisit yesterday, I found 12 more. This wine is a stunner! Owner Paul Kritzel is from Austria, bush vines worked by hand.

Good natural cork, 14% alc, $22 Cdn, 9 months old oak.

Color. Deepish yellow, no green.

Nose. Took a good hour to open up. Understated oak here, hint of creamyness, rich, apple. Minerally, straw, herby nose, no wool! "Floral" from across the table.

Palate. Initial impression was some sweetness, nutty tone on finish, apple and apricot. Very good acidity, some butterscotch very memorable here. Quite a lovely expression of CB here, appealing complexity. Will cellar more to see what evolves.






WTN: 2008 Lammershoek Chenin Blanc (2nd bottle).

Thought this SA CB might go down nicely whilst doing my annual butterfly survey in Saskatchewan. Plus 30 degrees, dry heat, exceptional provincial parks.

Light gold in color, quince nose, minerally. Has developed very well, off-dry, good acidity for a CB.
Apple, peach, tangerine, nutty tones, all add up to pleasurable experience. I had whole bottle to myself as female cohorts were wimpy U of A beer drinkers.

[Oliver McCrum]

Rabid, if it's from the Loire.

[Tim York]

WTN: 2008 Lammershoek Chenin Blanc (2nd bottle).

good acidity for a CB........

I've rarely found an acidity deficit in CB; indeed yummy acidity is why it makes such delicious sweeties near the Loire.

I had whole bottle to myself as female cohorts were wimpy U of A beer drinkers.

What degree of alcohol, Bob? Were you singing at the end of the bottle?