Stellenrust, Secrets and Lies Chenin Blanc 2023

Stellenrust’s Secrets and Lies Chenin Blanc 2023 is a refined, site-driven expression of Chenin Blanc from one of Stellenbosch’s most distinctive old vineyards. Grown on a unique Bottelary parcel that receives morning sun rather than the harsher afternoon light, it delivers a fresher, more elegant style with a quiet complexity that reflects both the vineyard and the region’s Chenin Blanc heritage.

Tasting Notes
The wine shows a bright, polished profile with notes of ripe yellow fruit and a subtle hint of lime on the nose. On the palate, peach and apple take center stage, supported by a lively, well-judged acidity that keeps the wine fresh and precise. Despite its medium body and rounded texture, this is a wine of finesse rather than weight. The finish is light, refreshing, and elegant, with enough balance and structure to suggest it will drink beautifully now while also holding its charm over the next few years.

Production
The grapes come from a 41-year-old Chenin Blanc vineyard planted in 1983 on Stellenrust’s Bottelary farm in Stellenbosch, situated on north-eastern slopes of decomposed granite. Morning sun, altitude, and exposure to wind all help slow ripening and preserve acidity, while the low-yielding vineyard—around 3 tons per hectare—produces fruit of concentrated character with limited botrytis pressure. The grapes are harvested at optimal ripeness and receive overnight skin contact before the juice is transferred to older 225-liter French oak barrels, aged 4 to 6 years, where the wine undergoes spontaneous fermentation with wild yeast. It then matures on fine lees in 100% French oak for up to seven months, with the barrels contributing texture rather than overt oak flavour.

Food & Serving
This Chenin Blanc is highly versatile at the table and works especially well with dishes that benefit from freshness and subtle richness. Try it with seafood, creamy chicken dishes, foie gras, duck, or even as an elegant alternative to Sauvignon Blanc in summer. Serve chilled at around 8–10°C, and decanting is not necessary.

Producer
Stellenrust is a respected Stellenbosch producer known for crafting expressive wines that showcase the character of South Africa’s classic terroirs, especially Chenin Blanc. With vineyards across the Bottelary Hills, the estate has built a strong reputation for combining traditional vineyard sites with thoughtful winemaking, and is well regarded for producing wines of purity, balance, and regional identity.

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