Collards Chenin Blanc 1996

Back in May we took a bottle of this wine to a dinner party only to find it spoilt by cork taint. Opening another bottle this week, this wine showed its true pedigree and keeping quality. It must be the most undervalued wine in the Collards stable given the price they receive for it and the beneficiaries are those that can snap up a number of bottles for under $10 and have the patience to cellar them for at least 10 years.

The nose had a tinge of the European "wet wool" aroma. Not unpleasant, and familiar to those of us who are old enough to remember how the Europeans used to make wine before the southern hemisphere influences took over.
The colour was bright golden with a hint of green running through it when held to the light. The texture slightly oily, but good weight and acid, with honeyed flavours. A perfect compliment to roast chicken. Delicious!

Vino Fino in Christchurch have the 2004 vintage on special at $9.99