2023 Bartàs Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc, Paulus Wine Co.

• Style: Dry, mineral-driven Chenin Blanc
• Taste: Green apple, lemongrass, sea spray, granite minerality
• Food: Goat cheese, shellfish, poultry, Asian citrus dishes
• Occasion: Sunday lunch, date night, aperitif
• Serve: Chilled, 8–10°C; 12.5% ABV

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

This is precision incarnate: green apple and lemongrass cut through with sea spray snap, underpinned by granite minerality that speaks of cool Atlantic winds and False Bay proximity. At 12.5% alcohol and bone-dry (4.2g/L residual sugar), the 2023 Bartàs drinks like conversation rather than statement—tense, poised, and impossible to stop at one glass.

The Winery — Paulus Wine Co.

Founded in 2018, Paulus Wine Co. have emerged as rising stars in South African wine through the partnership of Paul Jordaan (winemaker at Sadie Family for 12 years) and Pauline Roux (vintages at Domaine Drouhin, Brokenwood, and Mullineux). Their philosophy centres on site-specific Chenin Blanc, organic viticulture, and low-intervention cellar work. The 2023 vintage sources old vines from a steep Helderberg block on Rustenhof Farm, hand-picked in late January after a modest winter that ensured proper vine rest and smaller, concentrated berries. Wild yeast fermentation in old oak and concrete egg, followed by 10–12 months of lees aging, built texture without heavy oak influence. Minimal sulphur, no fining or filtration—the vineyard speaks clearly.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

Pair this Chenin Blanc with goat cheese, fresh shellfish, or poultry prepared with restraint. Its citrus-driven palate makes it an ideal match for Asian dishes leaning into bright acidity. Serve chilled (8–10°C) as an aperitif or through a relaxed Sunday lunch or date night. This is one of the finest examples of precision-driven white wine sourcing from South Africa, a bottle that rewards attention and invites you to explore what the Stellenbosch region—particularly its coolest southern corner—continues to deliver.