JAN White Blend 2021

The JAN White Blend is the white wine of the world-renowned Michelin Star chef and restauranteur, Jan Hendrik Van der Westhuizen. I recently visited Org de Rac just outside Piketberg, that was associated with the JAN wines for a long time. However, contrary to what his website states, these wines are now produced by Zevenwacht. Zevenwacht in Stellenbosch is a well-respected producer who recently won several awards for their wines and this wine does not hold back when it comes to its award-winning counterparts!

In the glass, this wine has a golden-straw yellow colour with green tinges. It is fresh, clean and forthcoming on the nose, with hints of wild flowers, citrus and dried stone fruit. The entry of this wine is fresh, but with an elegant mouthfeel that is probably the result of malolactic fermentation. It is a rich wine with deep layers of complexity: lemon, lime, dried peaches, apricots, yellow flowers, buttermilk and hints of honeycomb. This wine elegantly activates the entire palate into an amazing taste sensation, held together by great balance and a good acidity. It has a long finish of lemon zest, oak spice and stone minerality.

I am still dumbstruck by the price of this wine - this is not even value for money, it is a real bargain. You will struggle to find this much quality in one bottle under R200! This wine should be served chilled well. It can be enjoyed on its own, but will be a beautiful companion to soft white cheeses such as Brie, a pesto-based pasta, grilled hake, chicken grilled in butter, or asparagus with baked hazelnuts. This is a diverse wine that will cater for various settings and tastes. It is good to enjoy now or within the next ten years.

Producer: Zevenwacht

Variety: Chardonnay 44%, Chenin Blanc 30%, Roussanne, 10%, Viognier 10%, Sémillon 6%

Vintage: 2021

Origin: Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa

Winemaker: Hagen Viljoen

Closure: Cork

Alcohol: 13.5%

RS: 2.1g/l

Average price: R180

Rating: 95/100