Highlights: Vulpes The Cape Fox Chenin Blanc 2022 Swartland, South Africa
This is a new project from winemaker Nuschka de Vos. Her start in the wine industry was a good one: she worked an internship with Rosa Kruger, spending time in the vineyards. Then she travelled a bit, returning to do a degree in Viticulture and Oenology at Stellenbosch University, but carrying on the vineyard work with Rosa in the holdidays. In 2012 she did an internship with Rupert & Rothschild, and then returned again for vintage 2013. Along the way she did vintages in Bordeaux, the Mosel and New Zealand. Following this, she worked six years as Winemaker at Reyneke until 2021, and now she has her own label, Vulpes Wines. I tasted this wine with her and friends over a lunch in Cape Town last week.
Vulpes The Cape Fox Chenin Blanc 2022 Swartland, South Africa
12.5% alcohol. From granitic soils in the Paardeberg, this is a remarkable Chenin Blanc. It’s salty and mineral (typical of these soils) with lovely pear and peach fruit, together with grainy mineral notes. There are notes of lemons, spice and salt. It’s so expressive and focused with a sour cherry hint. Very fine. 95/100
