Critics reviews
Neal Martin - 31/10/2013
About this WINE
Miles Mossop Wines
Miles Mossop Wines burst onto the South African wine scene in 2004 when his first wines were made. He is winemaker at fellow Stellenbosch estate, Tokara, where he’s afforded the freedom to vinify 10 tonnes of bought-in grapes for his own label every year.
The aim here is to achieve wines with finesse and elegance but which still display aspects of power and fruit concentration, having great texture while maintaining balance.
Max is named after Miles’s son and is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and, more recently, Malbec. It is a truly handcrafted wine showing pure fruit expression and, more importantly, a sense of place.
Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc is an important white grape variety planted in the Anjou-Saumur and Touraine regions of the Loire Valley and the most widely planted varietal grape in South Africa.
In the Loire it produces high quality dry wines in Savenniéres, and luscious sweet, dessert wines in Coteaux du Layon, Bonnezeaux and Quarts de Chaume. In Vouvray and Montlouis it can be dry, medium dry, or sweet, and still or sparkling. Whether dry or sweet, the best Loire Chenin Blancs possess marvellously concentrated rich, honeyed fruit together with refreshingly vibrant acidity. It is Chenin Blanc's high acidity that enable the wines to age so well.
In South Africa Chenin Blanc is easier to grow and is prized for its versatility. It is used as a cheap blending option with Chardonnay, Colombard, and Muscat but also bottled unblended. The best producers keep their yields low and produce impressive mouthfilling wines.
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Description
The grapes for the Chenin blanc are sourced from a 34 year old unirrigated bush vine vineyard planted on gravely soils with a clay subsoil in Stellenbosch and a small portion is from the north eastern side of the Paardeberg in the Swartland region growing on Sandy Soils with a clay subsoil. Chenin blanc is picked in Stellenbosch over 2 pickings. One early on (at around 22 brix) to ensure freshness, minerality and length in the wine and the second picking once the botrytis infection and raisining has begun for flavour, richness and complexity. The Swartland fruit is picked early in the season to preserve the mineral texture in the grapes. Clairette Blanche is from a similar site to the Paardeberg Chenin blanc and is picked at a very low sugar to preserve the acidity that is inherently low in this variety. The Viognier is sourced from an 8-year-old vineyard on the southern slopes of the Paardeberg in Paarl.
The nose is opulent and brimming with aromas of white peach, lemon blossom, marzipan and ginger spice. There are underlying notes of buttered toast and lime zest. The wine enters the palate with powerful fruit flavours that mirror the aromas on the nose. The mid-palate is intense and rich with stunning waxy notes and hints of toasted almonds. A perfect accompaniment to Lobster Bisque, Seafood Paella, Sushi or an mildly spicy dish.
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