Aslina Wines Skin Contact Dry Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch 2022 750ml

A pleasant yet rich character wine with robust honeybush tea aromas. The Chenin is delicate and silky on the palate, with supple tannins and succulent yellow pear characters.

Amy Wislocki writes: South Africa's first female black winemaker Ntsiki Biyela is an exciting and talented name on the Stellenbosch scene, and it's great to see her skin contact Chenin Blanc added to Waitrose's South African line-up – worth tracking down either in selected London stores or online at Waitrose Cellar. It's an unoaked wine, with the texture and weight in the mouth coming from the skin contact: 20% of the grapes were crushed and fermented on skins for 24 hours before pressing, the other 80% were left on the skins and fermented for seven days. There's a slight golden tint in the glass, then bright citrussy acidity, ripe orchard fruit and a dry honeyed character when you sip. Accomplished winemaking and really delicious – good complexity for the price. - Decanter 91

Anthony Mueller writes: Truth in advertising, the 2022 Skin Contact Chenin Blanc offers a fresh and leesy expression with notes of yellow apples and hints of arugula and lemon skin. Medium to full-bodied, the palate displays surprising depth and a pleasing texture. The wine ends with a spicy, mineral-laced finish and a lingering kiss of phenolic bitterness. Only 9,500 bottles were produced. - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 90+