Plat'Bos, Chenin Blanc, Swartland, 2019
A single vineyard abutting Skaliekop on the Paardeberg mountain planted on pure decomposed granite. Painfully low yields of just 1.4 tons a hectare. Planted 1981, it qualifies for the Old Vine Project seal, and continues to be a key contributor in both the core Chenin and Aristargos, a small part of which was separated out for the first time in 2018. 2019 is only the second vintage of Plat’Bos as a single vineyard bottling but it has rapidly found favour as one of the finest South African Chenins on the market. North facing, it is one of the earliest vineyards they pick, consequently, its profile its one of spicy, salted lemons, bright orange citrus, and a powdery, mineral acidity. Powerful but chiselled and so finely balanced, the ’19 will reward cellaring.
critic reviews
The 2019 Chenin Blanc Plat"bos offers attractive peach skin and Conference pear notes on the nose, along with wax resin and pressed white flowers. The palate is well balanced with the most concentration of David and Nadia Sadie"s Chenins, and more salinity toward the finish too. Give this 2–3 years in bottle, as there is plenty of potential here.