Jeremiah's Picks

Ken Forrester Reserve Sauvignon Blanc — Stellenbosch, South Africa 2022

Ken Forrester is one of South Africa's most celebrated winemakers — a passionate advocate for Chenin Blanc and the broader potential of Stellenbosch as a world-class wine region. His Stellenbosch farm, situated on the cool slopes of the Helderberg, benefits from the maritime influence of False Bay and long, slow ripening conditions that produce wines of genuine complexity and freshness. The Reserve Sauvignon Blanc is crafted from grapes grown in this cool-climate environment, where extended hang time allows the fruit to develop layered aromatic character while retaining the brisk, mineral-driven acidity that defines the style.

The nose shows lovely complexity: a mix of tangy grassy notes and fig leaf intertwined with peach and nectarine nuances — aromatic, fresh, and inviting. On the palate, brisk acidity and minerality take center stage, a direct reflection of the long hang time in this cool coastal region. Clean, focused, and refreshing — a Sauvignon Blanc that is equally at home at the aperitivo hour or at the table.

"Lovely complexity with a mix of tangy grassy notes, fig leaf, peach and nectarine nuances. Brisk acidity with minerality on the palate — typical of the long hang time in our cool region." — Ken Forrester, Winemaker

• Producer: Ken Forrester Wines, Stellenbosch, South Africa
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Stellenbosch, South Africa
• Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
• Closure: Screwcap
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Grassy, fig leaf, peach, nectarine, brisk acidity, mineral finish
• Style: Light-bodied, crisp, aromatic
• Drink: Now through 2025
• Best Paired With: Grilled fish, chicken, seafood pasta, goat cheese, light salads, aperitivo

Cool-climate Stellenbosch Sauvignon Blanc at its most expressive — Ken Forrester Reserve is fresh, mineral, and made for the table.

Ken Forrester Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc — Stellenbosch, South Africa 2024

Ken Forrester is widely regarded as the "King of Chenin" — no producer in South Africa has done more to champion the grape or elevate its reputation on the world stage. Founded in 1993 on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain in Stellenbosch, the estate farms old vines on decomposed granite soils with the benefit of cooling maritime influences from False Bay. The Reserve Chenin Blanc is their benchmark expression: textured, layered, and built to age, yet approachable from release. The 2024 vintage was shaped by a warm, dry summer that concentrated the fruit beautifully, with just 2,000 cases imported to the US.

The wine pours a bright, pale straw. The nose is perfumed and generous — ripe pineapple, honeydew melon, baked apple, nectarine, and subtle floral notes with a whisper of hazelnut. On the palate, it's rich, creamy, and silky with vivid acidity, a subtle streak of chalky sapidity, and layers of tropical and yellow fruit. The finish is long and mineral-driven, with refreshing hints of quinine and grapefruit pith. Drink now through 2030.

"A lovely, silky white, with vivid acidity and a subtle streak of chalky sapidity layered with flavors of yellow apple, pear, lemon meringue and chamomile, plus a rich touch of hazelnut." — Wine Enthusiast, 91 Points

• Producer: Ken Forrester Vineyards, Stellenbosch, South Africa
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Stellenbosch WO
• Varietal: Chenin Blanc (Old Vine)
• Terroir: Decomposed granite, Helderberg Mountain slopes
• Production: 10,000 cases made; 2,000 cases imported
• Size: 750ml
• Accolades: Wine Enthusiast 91 | James Suckling 91
• Drink: Now through 2030
• Tasting Notes: Pineapple, honeydew, baked apple, nectarine, hazelnut, chalky minerality, quinine finish
• Best Paired With: Grilled prawns, scallops, roast chicken with herbs, butternut squash risotto, aged goat cheese

Dual 91-point old vine Chenin Blanc from South Africa's undisputed King of Chenin — textured, mineral, and built for the table.

Winemaker Description 

The 2023 vintage overall was a classic vintage for the Finger Lakes. Budbreak was early and a hard freeze on May 13th threatened many vineyards.  June and July were very wet with frequent rains and high disease pressure.  Finally, mid-August the region saw some sun although rains continued at regular intervals.  The long fall season dried out a bit to make the vintage a very classic style with bright acidity and cool climate fruit flavors. It also allowed us to fully ripen the Cabernet Franc that makes up most of this blend in this fresh style of Rose.

Winemaking: To produce our Rose, we used Cabernet Franc which was pressed quickly to ensure a delicate rose color and minimal skin tannins. We allowed the pressed juice to sit on gross lees for several days before racking to enhance the body and texture of the final wine. Then a long, cool fermentation in stainless steel maximized the intense aromas and flavors. For the final blend we added a small amount of our Chardonnay fermented in a neutral French Oak barrel to lengthen the finish and solidify the acid backbone of the wine. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2020

The Wine Enthusiast by Christina Pickard writes 92 Points | 2020 was a stellar vintage across New York State, despite the challenges of picking in a pandemic year. This charmingly demonstrates Long Island's prowess with Merlot. A fragrant fruit salad perfume of summer berries with subtle purple flower, vanilla and baking spice tucked beneath. It's supple, structured and harmonious, with firm, sappy tannins and a crunch of acidity.  

Winemaker Description

The Grapes of Roth is Winemaker Roman Roth's private label, and a true testament to his classic, yet adventerous, wine-making style. Wonderful dark cherry fruit with well integrated oak, classic graphite and great minerality is complimented by a very savory and elegant finish.

Dark red brick in color. Elegant aromas of cassis and fine toasted sandalwood fill the glass. The mouth-feel is rich and concentrated, yet balanced with wonderful fruit of plumbs, prunes and amazing minerality. The finish has layers of ripe tannins and nicely toasted oak with fine classic earthiness, leather and iodine notes. The fruit and alcohol provide great length and make this a very special Merlot that possesses great aging potential and is the perfect partner with food.

This is a wine to be aged. It has a huge maturation curve ahead and will gain many more nuances and facets. Serve just at room temperature. Pair this Merlot with dishes you might think of for big, bold wines: steak, cassoulet, duck and decadent dark chocolate desserts. 

Memo Summary Notes

The 2020 Wölffer Estate "The Grapes of Roth" Merlot is widely considered a benchmark for Long Island winemaking. It is the personal label of Wölffer’s longtime winemaker, Roman Roth, who uses it to showcase a more robust, "Right Bank" Bordeaux style that proves Merlot can be both powerful and sophisticated.

The 2020 vintage was particularly stellar for New York, recently earning the #100 spot on the Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Wines of 2025.