Cavalli Filly Chenin Blanc 2020

IT’S NOT OFTEN that the Winemag panel chaired by editor Christian Eedes rates anything higher than 95 on their 100-point scale, but do so they did after sniffing and sipping the 2020 Filly Chenin Blanc from Cavalli Estate on the foothills of the Helderberg in Stellenbosch. Described as ‘profound’, it was the judges’ favourite in a lineup of 90 wines submitted for Winemag’s 2021 Prescient Chenin Blanc Report

100% Chenin blanc. Mounds of citrus, lemon zest and vanilla compliment an exotically wooded aroma. The palate shows loads of peaches and apricots, yellow plums with a crisp acidity holding the wine together. Grapes are picked at optimal ripeness with generous acidity. The Chenin blanc is whole bunch pressed followed by fermentation in French oak barrels with a combination of new, 2^nd fill and 3^rd fill 225L barrels. The wine is kept on its fermentation lees with the occasional batonnage for 10 months until bottling.

The Estate
The picturesque Cavalli Estate, has become known for its winelands 'lifestyle' experience. Located in the Helderberg region of Stellenbosch, the estate has a lot to offer in addition to its 26 hectares of vineyards. Its wine, cuisine, design, architecture, indigenous landscaping, Equestrian facility and art are all important aspects of the Cavalli brand

Alcohol: 13.5 % vol