Swerwer Chenin Blanc, Swartland '20

Swerwer, which means “wanderer,” is Jasper Wickens, and the owner-winemaker has found his place in the Paardeberg region of the Swartland. After a decade working for Adi Badenhorst, Jasper is on his own with the Swerwer brand. He originally started the venture as a way to impress his girlfriend (he was successful), and they now team as viticulturist and winemaker for one of the most exciting young projects in the country. In the Paardeberg Mountain, Jasper is demonstrating the potential of what was formerly considered an unremarkable wine region. The combination of his talent for farming and his use of old bush vines on granite soil, as well as his winemaking philosophy of whole bunch pressing, using wild yeasts and old French wood, and maturing wine on gross lees, is dramatically changing that perspective.

The Swerwer Chenin Blanc shows fresh peach, lemon, and orange zest on the nose, and the palate is round out with notes of stone fruit and a bight, racy acidity. The finish is long, salty, and savory, making it a perfect partner for cheese plates, shellfish, and white meats.

This Chenin is always one of the very best from South Africa, and at this price it is an insane deal!