The Ken Forrester Old Vines Reserve Chenin Blanc 2021 was awarded a Best in Show Award at the 2022 Decanter World Wine Awards, cementing Forrester’s reputation as the pioneering leader of Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc.
Almost three decades since Ken Forrester made the career shift from prominent Johannesburg restaurateur to Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc specialist, the Chenin Blanc category has evolved vastly and this variety is now widely regarded as South Africa’s white flagship.
Being recognized as the world’s top Chenin Blanc at the Decanter awards is an endorsement of Ken’s continued commitment to producing world class Chenin, specifically from old vineyards.
Decanter Best in Show
The combination of cool growing conditions and ample sunshine has been instrumental in Ken Forrester’s Old Vine Reserve Chenin, which is sustainably produced from grapes that are grown almost exclusively at Ken Forrester Vineyards, on the lower slopes of the Helderberg Mountain.
Abundant Stellenbosch sunshine and cool growing conditions due to the close proximity of the Atlantic Ocean, result in a wine with harmonious balance between fruit and delicate oak/vanilla flavours, with melon, honeycomb and spicy baked apple aromas, complemented by crisp mineral notes.
The Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc is harvested in two selections – one batch naturally fermented on French Oak Barrels and a second batch fermented in stainless steel to preserve the freshness and the fruit.