Every bottle in the XCellar range carries the same promise: exceptional wine from a producer we respect too much to name. The Contour Chenin Blanc 2024 is no different. What we can tell you is that the hands behind it are among the most celebrated in the Cape Winelands β someone whose wines routinely attract serious critical attention and serious cellar-door prices. You’re getting the wine. Not the marketing budget.
Cape Chenin, with a Bit of Contour
Chenin Blanc is the Cape’s great shapeshifter. In less careful hands, it becomes either a thin, neutral quaffer or an oak-bludgeoned caricature of itself. The Contour sits firmly in the sweet spot: fruit-forward and fresh on entry, but with real breadth and texture underneath, built from partial barrel fermentation and extended time resting on the yeast lees.
That lees contact is the key. It’s what gives the wine its softly creamy mid-palate and that subtle, toasty warmth on the finish β not oak for oak’s sake, but a natural richness that makes the wine feel complete. Old-vine parcels do the rest, delivering concentration and complexity that younger vines simply can’t replicate.
What’s in the Bottle
On the nose: Yellow apple, ripe pear and quince, lifted by a hint of honeycomb. A warm undercurrent of oatmeal and toasted almond from the lees work β inviting rather than heavy.
On the palate: Dry and focused, with bright citrus keeping things alive. The mid-palate softens into a characteristic creamy texture, before a savoury, lightly toasty finish that lingers longer than you’d expect at this price.
In plain terms: Fresh Chenin energy, with a little extra depth and polish. Like your favourite white shirt, properly ironed.
Why It’s Sourced Under XCellar
The winemaker supplies us through WineTrader β Vinty’s parent company and one of South Africa’s most established wine sourcing operations. Their surplus finds its way to us, and we present it under the XCellar identity. The producer’s name stays out of it by mutual agreement β they protect their primary brand, you get the wine at the price it should cost without the brand overhead attached.
This is the label tax, eliminated.
At the Table
The Contour is a natural at the table. It loves prawns β especially peri-peri or garlic butter β and handles creamy pasta with ease. Anything porky works beautifully: roast pork belly, gammon, or a seriously good crackling moment. Roast chicken with buttery roasted veg is a weeknight winner. If you’re keeping it simple, it holds its own with quality soft cheeses.
All XCellar wines are covered by our 100% Happiness Guarantee. If you don’t love it, let us know β we’ll collect the remaining bottles and sort you out with a full credit or refund. No quibbles, no awkward emails, no fine print. That’s a promise.
