Precious and little are two words that describe Chenin Blanc in New Zealand today. There is barely any of it to speak of, with about 22 hectares and dropping, at last count, but what is produced here is staggeringly good, as this week's duo of Chenin Blancs show. The first comes from the Dicey brothers, James and Matt, in Central Otago. The second is from two generations of winemakers at Forrest Estate in Marlborough.

18.5/20

2024 Dicey Chenin Blanc RRP $40

Here’s another side of Central Otago and what a delicious, complex and succulent one. This Chenin Blanc tastes dry-ish on the finish, so it may come as a surprise to discover it contains 28 grams per litre of residual sugar, making it technically medium sweet. This is a fresh, crisp, mouthwateringly tasty wine with flavours of crisp apple drizzled in liquid honey with a citrus twist of lemon zest on the finish. Long, textural and delicious. 

18.5/20

2023 Forrest Estate Chenin Blanc RRP $28

Two generations of winemakers at Forrest Estate in Marlborough have been devoted to making great Chenin Blanc and this latest one is no exception; dry in taste and style with 8.2 grams of RS, this Chenin has aromas of warm hay in the sunshine, intermingled with white honey, lemon and floral notes in this complex and lively Chenin Blanc.