The Delaire Estate, just West of Stellenbosch, is a luxury destination providing visitors with lodgings and a spa, quality restaurants, art galleries, lush botanical gardens and extravagant boutique shops. The wine produced here is equally grand. Vines are planted in unique terroir, on the crest of the panoramic Helshoogte Mountain Pass and, according to the company, its wines are an opportunity to ‘taste a piece of heaven on earth’ (Delaire meaning ‘from the sky’).
One of the highlights is the 2014 Chenin Blanc. This wine has been recognised by Platter’s and Tim Atkin for its quality and it certainly doesn’t disappoint. We enjoyed this on one of the hottest days of the year so far and straight from the fridge, the sweet fruity nose was quickly tantalising the taste buds. It’s not too sharp or too soft, very well balanced and the colour is clear white. On the palate you get honey, elderflower, peach and lemon and its soft finish leaves you ready to fill up again quickly.
We paired with monkfish and would recommend this partnership all the time. This is up there with the top whites that we’ve tried all year.