Ken Forrester, The FMC Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2023

Overview of the Wine
Ken Forrester is widely considered one of the country's leading experts on Chenin Blanc and 'The FMC' is his top cuvée. The initials stand for 'Forrester, Meinert, Chenin the 'M' referring to Ken's long time friend and collaborator Martin Meinert with whom this wine was created. Fermented and aged for 12 months in oak barrels this is a wonderfully rich and layered wine with ripe stone and tropical fruit flavours, dried apricot, vanilla, honey and spice. The several levels of complexity are well balanced and nicely restrained in style and make a wine well worthy of it's exalted reputation.

Situated on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain, in the heart of South Africa's most famous wine region Stellenbosch, their vineyards are commonly referred to as the Home of Chenin Blanc and other premium award-winning wines.

Over the years their range of top quality wines have received massive national and international acclaim with literally hundreds of awards and accolades. Their wines are broadly available in reputable restaurants and exported around the globe. Ken Forrester's philosophy has always been to create a range of handcrafted, individually made wines that suitably complement a wide variety of food styles and provide excellent value.

Sustainable.

Winemaker
Ken Forrester

Grape / Blend
100% Chenin Blanc 

Origin
Stellenbosch, South Africa

Tasting Notes
From Ken Forrester, the ‘King of Chenin’, the flagship FMC is rich, seductive and utterly sophisticated. Layer upon layer of pineapple, candied lemon, dried apricot, ginger and vanilla, with touches of honey, spice and crème brûlée; effortlessly supported by gentle oak and lovely freshness. This wine is still showing the exuberance and nerviness of youth, and will develop and blossom over the next 4-5 years.

94 Points - James Suckling
A ripe, inviting and delicious chenin blanc that has aromas and flavors of honey, apricots, papayas, candied ginger and chamomile. It’s full-bodied, creamy and honeyed, with abounding yellow and tropical fruit, plus a touch of cloves on a long finish.

93 Points - Vinous
The 2023 The FMC is pure Chenin Blanc that was picked via 23 passes through the vineyard. It underwent a natural ferment and aged in 400-liter barrels for 12 months, 40% new. Always one of Forrester's gems, this has a wonderful bouquet of orchard fruit, verbena and hints of honeysuckle. The palate is fresh and vibrant on the entry, with touches of candied orange peel, white peach and apricot all very well defined and persistent through the elegant finish. Superb.

93 Points - Wine Spectator
A rich yet racy version, with vivid acidity creating a linear feel up front but then carrying the detailed core of poached quince, white peach, pickled ginger, lemon curd and orange blossoms, which expands on the palate. An overtone of toasted brioche, almond biscotti and vanilla-infused pastry cream is a subtle thread winding through the fruit core and echoing on the long, lush finish. Chenin Blanc.

Product size: 750ml