The Divas Chenin Blanc 2020, DeMorgenzon

DeMorgenzon is firmly entrenched as the best Stellenbosch producer of Chenin Blanc – their DeMorgenzon Reserve, with its many ‘best in class’ awards, attests to this.  However, it is their ultra-premium The Divas Chenin Blanc that raises the bar and the 2020 shoots the lights out!

Presented at Wine Spectator’s New York Wine Experience in 2016 to a standing ovation, the DeMorgenzon The Divas 2013 was named one of the 3 most exciting wines this millennium and the follow-up 2017 was crowned ‘Chenin Blanc of the Year’ in the 2019 Platter’s Guide. As for the newly released 2020 vintage, Master of Wine Tim Atkin writes that it ‘is well up to the quality of its predecessors’ – scoring it 96 points!

The 2020 is a wine of incredible density and precision. A hint of yellow suggests sun ripened berries, with a bright green hue promising freshness. Aromas of lime blossom, white peach, caramel and brioche are followed by a poised palate with an extremely concentrated core. This is a great wine that will reward decades of cellaring.

Sourced from their finest 50-year-old Chenin block, this is the epitome of De Morgenzon’s special terroir. The 2020 is naturally fermented then raised in French oak for 10 months before spending a further 6 months in concrete eggs. The trademark De Morgenzon power and concentration are there but balanced by remarkable restraint on the palate. It is elegant with a visceral and long finish. Definitely one of the very best Chenins we have tasted.

A true statement of DeMorgenzon’s dedication to excellence and one of the greatest Chenin Blancs in Stellenbosch.

Alcohol: 13.84% ABV

This is the fourth vintage of The Divas, after 2013, 2017 and 2019, and is well up to the quality of its predecessors. Sourced from a single, one-hectare block, it’s a rich, lees aged style with 40% new oak, 70% malolactic and a powerful yet taut palate. White flowers, beeswax, pear, nectarine and vanilla flavours combine beautifully on the palate. Drink 2022-30 – Tim Atkin MW, 96/100

This is the fourth vintage of the limited edition The Divas from Stellenbosch property DeMorgenzon, previous releases being 2013 and 2017, grapes sourced from a 1972 block that usually supplies the Reserve.  Fermented and matured in 300-litre barrels of which 40% were new for around seven months before a further seven months in concrete egg, it’s a striking wine. Smoky reduction before citrus, peach, dried herbs, spice and some leesy character on the nose while the palate is mouth-filling but not unctuous – great fruit definition and vibrant acidity before a dry finish. Lots of flavour and nice texture. – Christian Eedes, 95/100

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