Remhoogte, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch (Coastal Region, South Africa) Chenin Blanc 2023

 Remhoogte’s 2023 vintage of Honeybunch was just released and in time for warmer U.S. summer weather.  Remhoogte allows their Honeybunch Chenin Blanc to over-ripen, even raisinating on the vine.  Their harvest team is asked to only pick the golden bunches.  This harvest decision means that it takes the team multiple times through the vineyard and ultimately becomes quite labor intensive.  The golden grape bunches have more sugar and more flavor and a fraction of the grapes are botrytized, giving the wine a honeyed note for which the wine is named.  Remhoogte’s harvest and winemaking choices maximize the flavor concentration and complexity.  Chenin Blanc’s natural acidity and Honeybunch’s concentrated flavors also make this a wine that can be aged if you are willing to keep your hands off of these delicious bottles.