Blimey, maybe I should have decanted my Chenin Blanc!!

Pulling out some of my famous crab cakes, I thought I would give the `02 Rudera Chenin Blanc from S Africa a whirl. Last week I posted on my experience with fish `n chips with the `04 vintage at a local fast food tasting. Not quite sure why I left this wine in the cellar for so long as Keith Prothero has remarked on drinking up while still young and fresh? Not quite the same treatment we reserve for our Vouvrays!!

WTN: `02 Rudera Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch SA.


14.5% alc, small cork tough to get out, "A95" vat number in small letters on front label. The crab cakes were served with two sauces, a cajun mayo plus a sweet chilli sauce. A good idea that did not really come off too well!!

Colour. Deep yellow, verging on gold. No green tinges with this one and no real viscousity at all.

Nose. Even after 4 hours, very restrained. Maybe I should have decanted a la Otto (Musar)? Eventually find some apple, lime and melon but limited. Think might have opened by tomorrow?

Palate. Sure tastes better than it smells! Initial mouthfeel entry made me think this was made in an oxidized style but finish grew on me eventually. Not much apple this time around, medium level acidity and the 8 months in oak not really of influence now. This is a big winner at wine shows and winemaker has a huge reputation with this varietal.
We`ll see what developes overnight.

Cost was $24 Cdn.

Seems like a wine that's past its prime to me.

Kampai!! <chug>

Well Bob, I'm curious to see your impressions after a day. The missus and I had the '04 tonight with fish'n'chips. Brilliant.

Green apple skin, pear. Nice bright acidity with the slightest hint of sweetness that became more evident with the fish.

Seems like a wine that's past its prime to me.

Kampai!! <chug>

Yup, guess I should have drunk sooner..but some improvement overnight. stay tuned!!

The winery kindly sent me this video/film link........................

http://www.winefilms.co.za/winefarms/Ha ... ode17.html

Well Bob, I'm curious to see your impressions after a day. The missus and I had the '04 tonight with fish'n'chips. Brilliant.

Green apple skin, pear. Nice bright acidity with the slightest hint of sweetness that became more evident with the fish.

Great stuff Mike B, did you get the fish from Brits on 116st and 104 ave??
Some nice evolvement with the `02 this evening, much better finish and some botyrtis. What did you think of my decant idea?!! Guess I too will not keep the new `04 so long in the cellar.

Bob - the A95 number isn't a vat number , its the 'A' number -- each SA winery or 'responsible seller' is identified with an A number. A95 denotes KANU VINEYARDS (PTY) LTD.

One should be able to identify the originating winery even on branded wines -- although often it is left off by foreign shippers.

BtB, I had lunch with Keith today in the Cape

Pulling out some of my famous crab cakes, I thought I would give the `02 Rudera Chenin Blanc from S Africa a whirl. Last week I posted on my experience with fish `n chips with the `04 vintage at a local fast food tasting. Not quite sure why I left this wine in the cellar for so long as Keith Prothero has remarked on drinking up while still young and fresh? Not quite the same treatment we reserve for our Vouvrays!!

WTN: `02 Rudera Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch SA.


14.5% alc, small cork tough to get out, "A95" vat number in small letters on front label. The crab cakes were served with two sauces, a cajun mayo plus a sweet chilli sauce. A good idea that did not really come off too well!!

Colour. Deep yellow, verging on gold. No green tinges with this one and no real viscousity at all.

Nose. Even after 4 hours, very restrained. Maybe I should have decanted a la Otto (Musar)? Eventually find some apple, lime and melon but limited. Think might have opened by tomorrow?

Palate. Sure tastes better than it smells! Initial mouthfeel entry made me think this was made in an oxidized style but finish grew on me eventually. Not much apple this time around, medium level acidity and the 8 months in oak not really of influence now. This is a big winner at wine shows and winemaker has a huge reputation with this varietal.
We`ll see what developes overnight.

Cost was $24 Cdn.

24 hours later.

The finish has really improved and filled out offering some sweet ripe fruits. Not quite botyrtis but close, this is an interesting wine to study. Still convinced this should have been decanted!

Great stuff Mike B, did you get the fish from Brits on 116st and 104 ave??
Some nice evolvement with the `02 this evening, much better finish and some botyrtis. What did you think of my decant idea?!! Guess I too will not keep the new `04 so long in the cellar.

Naw, the fish'n'chips was from Captain Highliner.

I think decanting was not a bad idea at all. It worked with the '92 Musar Blanc and I've had other whites that showed a lot more with some air.

Not that I'm now going to decant every Gewurz or Pinot Gris I come across.

Captain Highliner!!!! Out of a packet then? Guess all forumites will be rushing off to their local grocery store, clammy hands wrapped around a bottle of Chenin Blanc.

"Ever been out to sea there Billy?"

http://www.digitalnorseman.com/stories/1999/maiden.html

Heh, out of a packet, yes. Not the greatest fish'n'chips, but we had some in the freezer and wanted something to go with the Rudera.

Heh, out of a packet, yes. Not the greatest fish'n'chips, but we had some in the freezer and wanted something to go with the Rudera.

"Bi gum, mum....these are the tastiest fish`n chips I ave ever tasted. Oh ah, is Captin Ighliner always this good?

"Don`t know, ask yer sister!"