We pulled three vintages of Chenin Blanc from the cellar last week — 2019, 2021, and 2023 — and opened them in one sitting. The question wasn't which was best. It was which had changed the most.
| Vintage | Color | Aromatics |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Deep gold | Honey, dried apricot |
| 2021 | Pale gold | Pear, beeswax |
| 2023 | Straw | Lime zest, white flower |
The 2019 had moved the farthest. It still had acid — but the fruit had given way to something more savory. The 2021 was right in the middle. The 2023 felt like a different wine entirely.
