White Wine

Chenin Blanc

Just like Riesling, Chenin Blanc, often abbreviated to just Chenin, is capable of producing an incredibly diverse range of wines from fresh dry (sec), to botrytised sweet wines of insane complexity.

Similar to German Riesling’s Trocken, Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese et al., Chenin from the Loire has a classification system related to sugar levels.

Sec (dry)

Demi-Sec (off dry) typically 15-25 g/lt residual

Moelleux (slightly sweeter) at approximately 40-50 g/l.

Moelleux 1er Trie (the first picking of botrytised berries) that produces a wine with residual sugar of about 60-100 g/lt and yet also with very high acidity.

The dry wines tend to be mid-weight building a lovely level of opulence as they ages.

What does Chenin Blanc Taste Like?

Flavours: Watch for the perfume, pear, citus spice, hints of apricot & jasmine in the sec, these wines build complexity as they age. The sweet wines add an array of aromas and flavours not dissimilar to the great Sauternes, ginger, honey, marmalade, patisserie notes, grilled nuts marzipan and beyond. Again as they age complexity builds.

Balance: Like any great wine, Chennin Blanc will have impeccable balance across each of the styles, marrying natural acid and delicious flavours.

Mouthfeel & Texture: When very young they have a lovely texture which becomes luscious and simply put caresses your tongue as they age. As residual sugar increases the mouthfeel builds, yet, across the styles remains light and clean.

It’s just so easy to hoover!

Where is Chenin Blanc grown?

The Loire Valley and large swathes of South Africa dominate the plantings of Chenin Blanc in the world. Recently we’ve seen a little revival in Australia too.

Image: Domaine Huet’s Clos du Bourg

The Elixirs of Domaine du Closel!

Domaine du Closel Savennières 'La Jalousie' Chenin Blanc 2020
A delicious Jalouise. Quince and Fejoa with a little baking spice. Building in depth with decent length in the glass. Textural phenolics play nicely with chalky acid complexed by hazelnut and crème pat from lees. Vivacious and refreshing. It’ll be lovely to see this fill out with a little more bottle age. Lemon oil and zest at play. Let it warm a little. The perfect intro to the fresher styles of Savennières. It will offer load more with time in bottle!
$94
$90ea in any 3+
$86ea in any 6+
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Domaine du Closel Savennières 'Le Clos du Papillon' Chenin Blanc 2020
A complex, textural and thrilling Chenin Blanc. Two parcels, one picked earlier and devoid of botrytis, one later with a little botrytis marry seamlessly presenting us with an entrancing creature. Dry Chenin of this standing is truly something special.There’s a certain composure and harmony here. A fine example, the textural elements show a leaning to less alcohol and higher perceived acidity than its sibling ‘La Caillardières’ adding a degree of restraint and sophistication to thi
$145
$140ea in any 3+
$135ea in any 6+
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Filters & Sorting

Sadie Family Stellenbosch Mev. Kirsten 2023

Sadie Family Stellenbosch Mev. Kirsten 2023

Chenin Blanc | South Africa

“The 2023 Mev. Kirsten is perhaps the most closed of the three Chenins, unfolding with time to reveal scents of yellow fruit, oyster shell and a touch of lanolin. The palate has superb weight and density—the most fruit-driven Chenin, with an irresistible, slightly viscous texture counterbalanced by a keen thread of acidity. It’s even a little petrolly on the finish. Fabulous from beginning to end.”Neal Martin, Vinous 96 Points
$415
$400ea in any 3+
$385ea in any 6+
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Thibaud Boudignon Savennières 'Clos Frémine' MAGNUM 2022

Thibaud Boudignon Savennières ‘Clos Frémine’ MAGNUM 2022

Chenin Blanc | Savennières, D'Anjou-Saumur

The 2022 Savennières Clos de Fremine has purity and tranquility; it's a cloud of Chenin Blanc blossoming in the mouth. There were a lot of grapes that didn't make the grade in 2022 due to the hot, dry conditions of the season, but the strict sorting implemented by Boudignon and team appears to have done the trick. The wine is gently fresh, but a salty line provides persistence. An appetizing fragrance of chamomile, honey and nectarine lingers long in the mouth.Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous 94 Poi
$417
$402ea in any 3+
$387ea in any 6+
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Sadie Family Stellenbosch Mev. Kirsten 2024

Sadie Family Stellenbosch Mev. Kirsten 2024

Chenin Blanc | South Africa

The 2024 Mev. Kirsten comes from the oldest Chenin in the Cape, originally planted in 1905 and then every other row was pulled out in 1946. Factoid: it was the first vineyard in South Africa ploughed by tractor. It has a fragrant bouquet with sea spray, light landlin and crushed chalky scents. The palate is beautifully balanced with a wonderful texture, perfectly balanced, laser-like focus, with a deft hint of lemongrass on the prolonged finish. Brilliant.Neal Martin, Vinous 97 Points
$434
$419ea in any 3+
$404ea in any 6+
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Thibaud Boudignon Savennières 'Clos de La Hutte' MAGNUM 2020

Thibaud Boudignon Savennières ‘Clos de La Hutte’ MAGNUM 2020

Chenin Blanc | Savennières, D'Anjou-Saumur

”The 2020 Clos de la Hutte is a wine that makes your shoulders drop such is its tranquility and sense of comfort in your mouth. It blooms in the mouth and does so without any sense of heaviness. The finish, scented with flowers and nectarines, is long, fragrant and textural. I hate using the word minerality as it means so many different things to people, but in my opinion, this has it in spades. It is incredible that the vines were only planted in 2011 on the schistous site on the grounds of a
$563
$543ea in any 3+
$523ea in any 6+
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