Babylonstoren Sparkling Chenin Blanc 2024
Babylonstoren Sparkling Chenin Blanc 2024 This vibrant sparkling wine is crafted from 100% Chenin Blanc, showcasing the varietal's signature crispness and versatility. The 2024 vintage in the Western Cape of South Africa experienced a warm, dry growing season, allowing grapes sourced from the 600-meter elevation, granite-rich slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain in Paarl to achieve optimal ripeness while retaining essential acidity. In the glass, the wine displays a brilliant, pale yellow color with excellent clarity and a lively, persistent mousse. The nose is highly aromatic, offering primary fruit notes of zesty Meyer lemon, green apple, and white peach, layered with secondary hints of white florals, crushed gravel, and a touch of fresh linen. On the palate, this medium-bodied and dry sparkler delivers a silky, refreshing texture driven by a bright streak of succulent acidity that lifts flavors of ripe pineapple, guava, and pear toward a crisp, chalky finish. Babylonstoren is deeply committed to eco-stewardship, utilizing sustainable and organic farming practices, including extensive composting and strict adherence to the Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) scheme. In the cellar, the winemaking philosophy is deliberately restrained, utilizing cool stainless steel fermentation with no oak influence to preserve the grape's natural purity and energetic carbonation. This sparkling Chenin Blanc pairs beautifully with a classic American seafood boil, where the wine's zesty acidity effortlessly cuts through rich, buttery crab and spicy Old Bay seasoning. It also serves as a fantastic complement to crispy Southern fried chicken, as the lively effervescence cleanses the palate between savory, fat-rich bites. While the sparkling expression of the 2024 vintage has not yet received widespread scores from major publications, Babylonstoren's still Chenin Blancs consistently earn 90-point ratings, making this bubbly iteration an outstanding, affordable value in its class.