The aging in custom made 450L French Oak puncheons and rich fruit give this Wood Matured Chenin Blanc an unusual depth of flavour and added complexity making it quite unique. It will continue to develop for many years. Pale golden. This is a complex nose. There’s baked apple pie with spicy nutmeg notes. The wood sits beautifully with the fruit to create this baked treats sensation.
What a survivor. Will Nairn’s experiment in the 1970s lives on as Australia’s only wooded example of this classic Loire Valley variety. This is another good example with full-bodied Chenin flavours of honeydew melon and apple being lifted by some oak toast. It finishes clean and firm.
PS: Will pinched this style from Chapellet in the Napa Valley. They pulled out their Chenin in 2004 when the vineyard lost vigour at 40 years of age. They replanted Chenin in 2009 at customers’ demand. Drink now - 2029.