Ken Forrester Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc 2024 is a rich, textured and classic South African white from Ken Forrester Wines, a family-run estate in the Helderberg/Stellenbosch region of the Western Cape widely regarded as one of South Africa’s great homes of Chenin Blanc. The winery has built a reputation on crafting expressive, terroir-driven wines with balance, freshness and food-friendly profiles, and this Old Vine Reserve bottling comes from mature bush vines planted on deep sandy duplex soils near the cool Atlantic influence of the Helderberg foothills. The 2024 vintage delivers a golden-hued, full-bodied white with aromas of melon, baked apple and spice, layered with mineral lift and notes of honeycomb and caramel from extended lees contact and partial barrel fermentation in French oak. The interplay of ripe fruit and gentle oak gives the wine complexity and texture while retaining refreshing acidity and an elegant structure. In the glass you will find a palate that is both rich and harmonious, with stone fruit, citrus zest and subtle vanilla from oak integration balanced by a clean, mineral finish. It is versatile with food, pairing beautifully with spiced dishes, grilled seafood, crayfish, prawns, roast chicken, creamy sauces or aromatic poultry, and also works wonderfully on its own as an inviting aperitif. Why we love this wine? We love Chenin and the baked apple and spice is delicious!
