Any chenin blanc outside the Loire that's drinkable?

S

SteveTimko

Steve Timko
K&L sent out an email touting their latest discovery, Waterkloof from South Africa, in almost Rimmermanesque terms. Waterkloof bottles a chenin blanc that might be worth trying, but I've had such miserable luck with South African chenin blanc.
Anyone tried Waterkloof? Or is there a good South African chenin blanc imported into the United States just to try for comparison?
 
I used to think Dry Creek Chenin was a decent budget wine; that was a while ago. Not distinguished like one of the stellar Loire makers, but quaffable under duress of thirst while eating.
 
originally posted by Ian Fitzsimmons:
I used to think Dry Creek Chenin was a decent budget wine; that was a while ago. Not distinguished like one of the stellar Loire makers, but quaffable under duress of thirst while eating.
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Are you thinking of the Chenin Blanc/Viognier from DCV, Ian? I used to buy it when it was under $10 a bottle, but those days are long gone. The Chenin was sourced from Clarksville, which seems to produce some of the best Chenin in CA, not that the bar is set that high.

Mark Lipton
 
I've always enjoyed the Navarro Chenin from Mendocino, though it appears that vineyard housing the 60 year old vines that they have been sourcing the grapes from has been sold.
 
originally posted by MLipton:
originally posted by Ian Fitzsimmons:
I used to think Dry Creek Chenin was a decent budget wine; that was a while ago. Not distinguished like one of the stellar Loire makers, but quaffable under duress of thirst while eating.
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Are you thinking of the Chenin Blanc/Viognier from DCV, Ian? I used to buy it when it was under $10 a bottle, but those days are long gone. The Chenin was sourced from Clarksville, which seems to produce some of the best Chenin in CA, not that the bar is set that high.

Mark Lipton
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Oh whew. After writing this, I started bracing myself for n00b bombs.

That sounds right, though I didn't know Viognier was included. Price was sub-10, tiny bit of RS, good tang and acids, clean finish. Not great art, but a good drink with dinner.
 
A wine geek friend (and Disorder lurker) went to Clarksville and tried wines at a couple of wineries. He specifically asked for Chenin blanc at one winery and was told he was the second person in 10 years to request chenin blanc. I don't think it's a big seller.
 
most interesting domestic chenin i have had was Folk Machine, J'eanne D''Arc. it may fall in the orange wine catagory, not sure about that though. Pretty sure its Mendocino fruit.
Bought it in Healdsburg at a tasting room near the square. Where else it's available i have no idea, which doesnt help much but the wine was really good.
 
That sounds a lot like the Field Recordings chenin (from Paso Robles, of all places) that has been popping up in Chicago lately. I don't believe it's orange but unfiltered and maybe some battonage gives off a similar profile. As with most of the above, you're never going to confuse it with Vouvray. But it does inspire contemplation, which is not a half-bad thing in domestic chenin.
 
Bob here, I recently tasted the `08 Field CB>

TN: 2008 Field Recordings Wine Chenin Blanc Jurassic Park Vineyard, Central Coast Santa Inez Valley.

Unfiltered, unfined. 13.9% alc, SC, 285 case production. I will post website so folks can get some additional background on this enterprising winery.

Light pale yellow color, no cloudiness. The nose featured apricot, nuts, lemon zest and floral tones. I certainly did not expect such a dry wine however, sharp acidity a big influence here I guess? The aromas followed through on the palate, plus some unripe pineapple and tart apple. "Not for everyone" from across the table. Hard to pair with food but went for pork tenderloin marinaded in light teriyaki. Not sure I would try this style again, purchased from Metrovino in Calgary.

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fieldrecordingswine.com
 
Ballentine Vineyards Old Vine Pocai Vineyard is consistently excellent. Bless their hearts, keeping a patch of old vine Chenin in the middle of Napa Cab territory.

Graziano (as usual) makes an interesting and reasonably priced version from Mendocino.

Pacific Rim has made some nice ones in the past, but I haven't had any recently.

I like Ken Forrester's regular and "petit" versions from South Africa. Mulderbosch has veered between OK and quite good the last few vintages.

Note that none of these taste like Loire Chenins, but the good ones have their own appeal.
 
originally posted by MarkS:
Pine Ridge used to make a quaffable cb years ago, but it was no Loire double.
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Their Chenin/Viognier blend is still around, I tried it for the first time in years back in September. Served it as part of my blind tasting dinner and it failed to impress. Pleasant but way outclassed by the La Vieille Ferme white wine. I remember it being better 10 years ago but who knows how much of that is a change in the wine and how much a change in my palate.
 
I had Field Recordings at Family Winemakers one year. I couldn't really tell it was chenin blanc. It tasted too generic.

One of the Cargassachi brothers is bottling an inexpensive white wine that is mostly Santa Barbara chenin blanc. I would like to give that a try.
 
originally posted by Lou A.:
Kevin Cedergreen makes very good domestic (WA) chenin.
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Although his labelling it "red wine" is a little confusing.

There's also respectable chenin to the north in British Columbia - Road 13 and Quail's Gate are two worth seeking out if you're in the area. With only 7 hectares planted (according to the BC Wine Institute) I'm not sure you're going to encounter it otherwise.
 
originally posted by Greg Hirson:
I've always enjoyed the Navarro Chenin from Mendocino, though it appears that vineyard housing the 60 year old vines that they have been sourcing the grapes from has been sold.
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I inquired about that fruit earlier this year. From what I've been told, that vineyard is now being used to produce grape juice :( (Not Navarro's) Crazy.
 
originally posted by fillay:
originally posted by Lou A.:
Kevin Cedergreen makes very good domestic (WA) chenin.
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Although his labelling it "red wine" is a little confusing.

There's also respectable chenin to the north in British Columbia - Road 13 and Quail's Gate are two worth seeking out if you're in the area. With only 7 hectares planted (according to the BC Wine Institute) I'm not sure you're going to encounter it otherwise.
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Entirely agree with your two selections, both found in my area here.
 
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