Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc 2020

High altitude, cooling ocean breezes off the Atlantic and vines hit by the first morning sun of the Cape make this perfect Chenin Blanc an aromatic Rainbow Nation marvel. Succulent and silky, it’s really lekker as an aperitif, with something spicy or with simple grilled fish.

The Harvey Nichols Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc is made exclusively for us by DeMorgenzon, whose name is literally translated as ‘the morning sun’. Their vineyards are full of wildflowers, giving the estate more the feel of botanic garden than a working farm. DeMorgenzon also play baroque and early classical music to their growing vines, as they enjoy it themselves and numerous studies have suggested that it can help fruit production and root growth. Their super talented new winemaker Adam Mason brings bags of experience to the team, including an eight-year stint making the legendary Vin de Constance at Klein Constantia, and a short spell at Mulderbosch Vineyards. This is a standout winery whose carefully orchestrated wines make sweet music in the glass.

Naturally fermented with wild yeasts in a combination of stainless steel and just a little French oak, this juicy white wine reveals floral notes together with subtle aromas of green apple and white peach, leading to a satin-textured palate of ripe stone fruits with hints of acacia honey.