2023 Bosberaad Swartland Chenin Blanc, Paulus Wine Co.

• Style: Dry, vibrant, mineral-driven
• Taste: Honeysuckle, stone fruit, waxy richness, laser acidity
• Food: Buttered fish, goat cheese, Asian spice
• Occasion: Sunday lunch, date night, food exploration
• Serve: Chilled, now or cellar 5+ years

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Brightness hits first: honeysuckle and lemon peel lift from the glass, signalling the cool ridge where old bush vines thrive. On the palate, a rare equilibrium emerges — delicate enough to breathe, powerful enough to command attention. Waxy, creamy texture wraps around apple skin and quince, while crisp acidity feels like sea air cutting through. This is Chenin Blanc at its most versatile, balancing stone fruit richness with mineral precision.

The Winery — Paulus Wine Co.

Founded in 2018, Paulus Wine Co. emerged swiftly as South African rising stars. Paul Jordaan spent twelve years as winemaker at Sadie Family Wines, while co-founder Pauline Roux gathered experience across Oregon's Domaine Drouhin, Hunter Valley's Brokenwood, and Swartland estates including Mullineux and AA Badenhorst. Their shared commitment to organic viticulture, low-intervention cellar work, and site-specific expression shapes every bottle. The 2023 vintage draws from east-facing vines planted in 1980 on decomposed granite at Waterval Farm in Siebritskloof Valley. A warm, dry season until mid-December rains brought relief; harvest spanned mid-January through late February, concentrating flavour from a deliberately low-yielding site. Minimalism dominates the cellar: whole-bunch pressing into old oak and concrete vessels, indigenous fermentation, ten to twelve months on lees, no fining or filtration. The outcome earns 93 points from James Suckling and recognition as among the finest expressions available.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

Pour this with buttered fish, sharp goat cheese, or Asian food where citrus and spice meet sweetness — versatility is its signature. The acidity and weight suggest graceful ageing for years, though freshness sings now. Organic and vegan-friendly, it represents what South Africa achieves with its flagship white. Whether you're Sunday lunching or on a date night, this bottle opens doors to the region's finest expressions.