Miles Mossop Chapter Three Chenin Blanc 2022 Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa 75cl

Miles Mossop spent years as head winemaker at Tokara before committing fully to his own Stellenbosch label. His approach is deliberately hands-off: find good vineyards, pick at the right moment and let the fruit lead through the cellar. The Chapter range brings that thinking to more accessible, single-variety wines, and Chenin Blanc is a natural centrepiece for any Cape producer.

Chenin Blanc is South Africa’s signature white grape, planted more widely here than anywhere in the world, and Stellenbosch gives it both ripeness and structure. This is a pure Chenin Blanc, made to show precision and mineral drive rather than heavy oak or sweetness. The focus is on clarity of fruit and a long, dry finish.

The 2022 was a balanced Cape white-wine vintage, giving fresh, well-defined fruit with the acidity to keep the wine taut and age-worthy over the medium term, exactly the raw material this precise style needs.

Expect aromas of white peach, quince and a hint of wet stone. The palate is concentrated yet fresh, with pure orchard-fruit flavour carried on a firm, stony line to a long finish. There is real energy here for a wine at this level, and it will drink well over the next several years.

For anyone discovering how good South African Chenin can be, this is a fine, honest example from a respected name, and a good match if you enjoy dry, mineral whites such as Chablis or Savennieres. Serve it lightly chilled with roast fish, creamy chicken dishes, or a wedge of mature hard cheese.