Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc is a white grape common in the Loire Valley of France. It is a versatile grape that can produce dry, off-dry, sparkling and sweet dessert wines. Also known as Steen in South Africa, wines made from Chenin Blanc usually exhibit floral aromas with apple and pear-like flavors and assertive acidity. You can use Wine Enthusiast’s online Buying Guide to find the top-rated Chenin Blanc among our extensive Chenin Blanc wine reviews and easy-to-use database. Our Chenin Blanc reviews will give you a general idea what to expect from wines made from Chenin Blanc, and will help you find one that best suits your needs.

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Domaine Huët 2009 Cuvée Constance 500ml Chenin Blanc (Vouvray)

Cellar Selection
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Price $159

Even more concentrated than Huët’s superb 2009 Première Trie, this is outstanding. It has both great concentration and elegance. The wine is touched by botrytis, while retaining freshness. Made from ripe, just shrivelling grapes, this is sweet Vouvray at its magnificent best. — R.V. (6/1/2011)

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Domaine Huët 2010 Le Mont Première Trie Moelleux Chenin Blanc (Vouvray)

Cellar Selection
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Price $69

This will be a wonderful wine. Already, it is fine, with lovely acidity, bright and richly sweet at the same time. Yellow fruits mingle with honey, pear, almonds and the intense sweetness of botrytis. — R.V. (6/1/2011)

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Domaine Huët 2009 Clos du Bourg Première Trie Moelleux Chenin Blanc (Vouvray)

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Price $69

A majestic, magisterial wine, powered by superripe fruit as well as honey and a gorgeous ripeness. With years ahead of it, this will be superb. — R.V. (6/1/2011)

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Clos de la Coulée de Serrant 2007 Chenin Blanc (Savennières-Coulée de Serrant)

Cellar Selection

Price $90

It is not easy to describe one of the majestic wines of France. This 2007 is still a wine in the making. All the elements are there: the intensity of dry fruits, the richness of spice and white fruit jams, opulent and austere at the same time. It is an extraordinary wine, with freshness, sweetness, dryness and acidity all just about perfectly balanced. Give it at… — R.V. (9/1/2009)

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Clos de la Coulée de Serrant 2002 Clos de la Coulée de Serrant Chenin Blanc (Savennières-Coulée de Serrant)

Cellar Selection

Price $79

Nicolas Joly and his mother are possessors of the smallest appellation in France: Coulée de Serrant. This almost vertical vineyard, dropping down to the Loire, facing due south, makes a mythical wine that is powerful and laden with exotic fruit flavors: oranges, lemon, apricots, accented with spices and the tannins of a youthful white wine. This will last for… — R.V. (4/1/2005)

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Domaine des Baumard 2005 Clos du Papillon Chenin Blanc (Savennières)

Editors' Choice

Price $39

A superb wine, fresh and ripe, with a characteristic edge of caramel, opulence and bone-dry acidity. This comes from a great vineyard in a great Loire year, so it’s no surprise that, like many great Loire Chenin Blanc, it promises lengthy aging—15–20 years if you can wait. In the meantime, now it has youthful vigor and freshness. Screwcap. Available in the U.S… — R.V. (10/1/2007)

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Domaine des Baumard 2005 Clos de Sainte Catherine Chenin Blanc (Coteaux du Layon)

Cellar Selection

Price $50

Clos de Sainte-Catherine is at the summit of the sweet wines of Coteaux du Layon. This comes from a great year for sweet wines, and that shows in the impressive balance between intense sweetness and acidity. It’s smooth and crisp at the same time, a great combination. Age for 10 years and more. Screwcap. — R.V. (10/1/2007)

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Domaine des Baumard 2005 Chenin Blanc (Quarts de Chaume)

Price $72

From arguably the finest sweet wine vineyard in the Loire, here is a wine that is deceptively fresh on first taste. Then the huge richness kicks in, balanced with blood oranges, white fig and pear flavors, and a mineral character. Complex, this needs many years to develop; superb. — R.V. (10/1/2007)

Most Reviewed Sub Varietals

Steen

Most Reviewed Regions

Argentina Australia Canada Egypt France Israel New Zealand South Africa US

Most Reviewed Wineries

Château Moncontour Domaine de Vaugondy Domaine des Baumard Domaine du Petit Coteau Domaine Huët Dry Creek Vineyard Foxen Husch Ken Forrester MAN Vintners Raats Family Simonsig

2009 Monte Pinadillo Ciranza

Black fruit, raisin and minerally aromas combine to create a formidable…

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