Collards 1996 and Milton 1997 Chenin Blanc.

White wines are generally not recommended to be cellared for any length of time. One exception to this rule is the grape variety of Chenin Blanc and the French have been aging Vouvray for a long time. I recall going to a tasting where we tasted Vouvrays up to 30 years old which had developed sweet honey flavours and a deep golden colour. NZ Chenin tends to age much faster than its European cousin and the 1997 Milton at 10 years of age matched the description of the 30 year Vouvray. The occasion was a "pot luck" dinner featuring pears and potatoes and this wine complimented the food well. It looked wonderful in the glass and the taste was honey and grapefruit with a sweetness lingering on the tongue. Not the same sweetness as a desert wine though and should be enjoyed with food.

Before the Milton we tried a 1996 Collards Chenin Blanc. Collards have produced a consistent Chenin for some time. Unfortunately this bottle, though still with fruit flavours was spoilt by cork taint. The colour wasn't as golden as the Milton and we've found the Collards is probably the slowest to develop of all the NZ Chenins we've cellared. It is generally reasonably priced and if you want to have a go at cellaring Chenin Blanc then I'd thoroughly recommend starting with Collards. Vino Fino in Christchurch have the 2004 vintage at $9.99 a bottle.