Press & Ratings

Chenin Blanc a sweet versatile grape

By Anthony Gismondi, Special To The Sun September 17, 2011 Read more...

Antony Gismondi, Canada - 2011-09-05

The Land of Hope Reserve Chenin Blanc 2009
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South Africa

The wine stems from old bush vines grown in the Helderberg area of Stellenbosch. Ocean facing you can taste the minerality in the wine. Loves the fresh flinty leesy, Burgundian feel of this chenin. Perfect with grilled salmon. Co-Owner Alex Dale is an impressive wine grower working in South Africa so when he says the Land of Hope Trust project, launched in 2007, was initiated against the background of many “smoke and mirrors” projects purporting to uplift Previously Disadvantaged Individuals (PDI) we believe him. In this case the direct and sole beneficiaries of this Trust are the previously disadvantaged individual employees of Winery of Good Hope and their children and dependents. Now back to the wine.

Price: BC $26.00 (750 ml) specialty listing
CSPC: 162586;   UPC: 00854954000322
Producer: The Winery of Good Hope
Distributor: Liberty Merchant Company

Score:  89/100

2011 Platter Guide

4½ Stars Cabernet Sauvignon: Elegant, classic, single vineyard 08 seriously styled and expressive. Spicy, plush tannins enfold layers of voluptuous, compact red fruit, herbs and fine mineral core, to form an appetizing, satisfying whole. Deftly oaked (16 months French, 25% new)

4½ Stars (5 Star Nominee) Chenin Blanc: floral 09… to reveal complex layers of lightly spicy, sweet yellow apples, perfectly poised acidity, minerality. Oak (11 months 20% new) provides subtle platform for concentrated flavours.

Land of Hope Chenin Blanc

 

 

 

 

 

Land of Hope Chenin Blanc Receives Gold

In May 2010, the Land of Hope Chenin received the only Gold medal for a Chenin Blanc in South Africa’s foremost competition The Trophy Wine Show, scoring 94 Points in the process. This at its first attempt.

2009 Financial Mail Best Sustainable Black Economic Empowerment Deal Award

The Land of Hope team receiving in February 2010 the Financial Mail Wine Award for Best sustainable Black Economic empowerment deal of 2009 (second consecutive year that this accolade has been awarded to Land of Hope).

Read more...

Chenin Challenge 2010

WINE Magazine, South Africa - February 2010

Land of Hope Chenin Blanc 2008
4 Stars, finishing 5th = out of 134 wines competing.
Hint of oak on otherwise shy nose. The palate is rich and weighty with lots of fruit and oak. Packed with flavour: vanilla, peach and tropical fruit.

Wine of the week

WINE Magazine, South Africa - 5 February 2010

Land of Hope 2008 (est. price R125)
Hint of oak on otherwise shy nose. The palate is rich and weighty with lots of fruit and oak. Packed with flavour: vanilla, peach and tropical fruit. Drink now or over the next three years.

Platter Guide 2010

***** Superlative. A Cape classic
****½ Outstanding
**** Excellent
***½ Very good/promising
*** Characterful, appealing
**½ Good everyday drinking
** Pleasant drinking
*½ Casual quaffing
*  Plain and simple
½ Very ordinary
No Star
☺
√		 Somewhat less than ordinary
Exceptionally drinkable & well priced
Good Value distinction

4½ Stars Cabernet-Sauvignon: Elegant Bordeaux-inspired 07 classic, beautifully complex with mineral core; expressive blackcurrant flavours restrained by herbal edge & judicious oak (16 months French). Perfect, refreshing food wine ex Helderberg vines. Proceeds from these to Educational Trust for staff children.

4 Stars Chenin Blanc: Wonderful minerality & richness in expressive 08; fine, vibrant acidity in harmony with sumptuous baked apple fruit, driving flavoursome finish. Mainly old Helderberg bushvines.

Land of Hope Chenin Blanc

 

 

 

 

The 2008 Financial Mail Wine Business Awards in South Africa saw the inaugural award for BEST SUSTAINABLE BLACK ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT WINE DEAL being presented to Land of Hope. This in recognition of the ”…completely innovative and transparent funding model, the direct benefit to the stated beneficiaries and the profound impact of this project on a whole generation of employees’ children”, according to competition organizer John Woodward.

top ↑