The Granietsteen is from a single old vineyard (planted 1978) of Chenin Blanc. Incredibly focused and intense wine. A real saline edge giving the palate a savoury aspect which works with the notes of lemon, apple and pear beautifully. Long and concentrated, this is one of Stellenbosch’s best Chenin Blancs.

A highly acclaimed wine, described as a complex, mineral-driven wine with intense aromatics of fynbos, citrus, and stone fruit (peach, pear) with flinty notes, featuring a taut, energetic palate, bright acidity, and a long, saline finish, showing remarkable clarity and concentration from old vines on decomposed granite.

Tasting Notes: The nose offers an understated yet intricate bouquet of subtle hay, peach, soft citrus, and jasmine, beautifully overlaid with a signature maritime sea-breeze top note. On the palate, the wine balances incredible intensity and concentration without undue weight. Layers of crisp lemon, pear, and underripe orchard fruit gradually unfold across a beautifully integrated, tangy acidity, framed by a distinct lanolin and flinty texture derived from slow concrete and old foudre fermentation. Reflecting its decomposed granite terroir, it culminates in an exceptionally long, racy finish marked by chalky minerality and a savoury, saline edge that makes this vintage intellectual, energetic, and profoundly complete.

Food Pairing: A wine that balances tangy acidity, subtle stone fruit, and a distinct sea-breeze salinity. Its deep, mineral-driven texture and savory finish make it an incredibly versatile pairing partner. It shines beautifully alongside fresh coastal seafood like raw oysters, grilled prawns, or pan-seared kingklip, where its ocean-facing granitic energy cuts through briny and buttery textures. Additionally, its quiet intensity and rich mouthfeel elegantly handle fragrant, gently spiced dishes like traditional Cape Malay chicken curry or a lemongrass stir-fry, as well as creamy goat’s cheese salads. For the ultimate experience, serve it slightly cellar-cool rather than ice-cold to let its complex fynbos and orchard fruit aromatics fully unfold.

A great wine from a great site in a great vintage: what’s not to enjoy? This stunning Chenin Blanc uses grapes from a 1.2-hectare block on the Rustenhof that was planted in 1978. Fermented and aged in concrete and (since 2024) 20% foudres, it’s a stunning, self-assured wine with a noticeable sea breeze top note, flavours of citrus, pear and juniper, a waft of jasmine and a racy, granitic finish. Fast becoming a must-buy wine for me. 2027-35' – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2026, 98/100

“Subtle aromatics of hay, peach and soft citrus while the palate is intense without undue weight, the tangy acidity beautifully integrated. Layers of flavour unfold gradually before a gently savoury finish. To call it stingy would be unfair but it is certainly understated – cerebral rather than hedonistic. 93/100” Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za

ANALYSIS: ALC 12.5% | TA 5.6g/l | pH 3.33 | RS 1.9g/l