Fans of Natte Valleij’s ‘Axle’ Chenin Blanc have already started forming a disorderly queue in anticipation of this exciting new release, a brand new white wine, called ‘An Ode to The Cape’, which Alex Milner describes as “An ‘old school’ Cape white blend of Clairette Blanche and Chenin Blanc with a ‘new wave’ twist.” Clairette is a grape variety found principally in the Languedoc, where it provides much-needed acidity in many a white blend. Here it teams up with Chenin Blanc, bringing life and vitality to South Africa’s ‘final boss’ grape variety. 12.5% alc. Drink now-2030.

Press review:

Greg Sherwood MW: “This new white blend from Alex Milner doubles the Natte Valleij white range from one to two wines. An impressively characterful creation, the aromatics on this Clairette Blanche - Chenin Blanc blend boast notes of leafy honeysuckle, white blossoms, dry hay, dusty summer bushveld over hints of granite, sea breeze salinity, white pear and yellow apple fruits. The delicate sapidity is more pronounced on the palate that’s glycerol and fleshy, deliciously tangy and bright with sour yellow plums, peach and nectarine fruits, displayed with impressive concentration married to a spicy sweet herbal component and a pithy white citrus nuance on the vibrant saline finish. This has all the attention to detail you’d expect from Alex and Natte Valleij. Drink now and over the next 5 to 8 years.” 94 points