The vision statement of Arendsig highlights their goals to produce site-specific, single vineyard wines with minimal winemaking influence. Their “Inspirational Batch 3” is a Chenin Blanc with a beautiful golden color, perfumed floral, melon, wax, yellow apple, and floral goat cheese notes. The grapes are sourced from Robertson, a warm, low-rainfall region. Despite being an inland region, trade winds still bring in cooler air enabling the flavor development of their wines without sacrificing acidity. This acidity helps the flavors pop, enables the wine to pair with a variety of foods, and brightens the mouthfeel of each sip. The winemaker’s choice to use spontaneous fermentation is a win and the wine has an almost flor-like quality giving it a slight sherry note of dried oxidized apple. The complexity of bright acidity and flor notes make this vintage especially exciting.
Arendsig, Robertson (South Africa) Chenin Blanc 2020
By Vince Simmon