2024 Ken Forrester Chenin Blanc 'The FMC' Stellenbosch

The 2024 Ken Forrester Chenin Blanc 'The FMC' Stellenbosch is a global benchmark for the varietal, crafted from vines planted in the 1970s on Ken Forrester's Stellenbosch estate. The name officially stands for Forrester Meinert Chenin, though it has earned a more colorful nickname among collectors who recognize it as South Africa's greatest dry Chenin Blanc. This vintage shows more structure and broader shoulders than the already outstanding 2023, with up to ten separate harvests through the same vineyard ensuring only perfectly ripened bunches make the final selection. Ken Forrester's approach to this wine is meticulous and labor-intensive, treating each pass through the ancient vineyard as an exercise in selecting perfection. The fruit is naturally fermented in French oak barrels, fifty percent of which are new, then aged for a full year on the lees to develop the wine's signature texture. Stellenbosch provides ideal conditions for Chenin Blanc, with old-vine fruit delivering the concentration and complexity that separate this bottling from nearly every other expression of the varietal worldwide. The multiple-harvest method captures fruit at its absolute peak, a level of precision that defines serious South African winemaking. The 2024 vintage opens with aromas of yellow plum, beeswax, and subtle nutmeg, leading to a palate layered with dried apricot, honey, vanilla, and whispers of toasted almond. The oak is beautifully integrated, providing structure without overwhelming the fruit, while refreshing acidity balances the wine's richness and silky mouthfeel. It is stunning to drink now, showing both power and grace, but will reward serious cellaring over the next ten to twenty years as it develops deeper honeyed and caramelized complexity. Pair it with roasted chicken, lobster with brown butter, or aged Comté, or simply pour it as a statement wine on its own. The 2024 Ken Forrester Chenin Blanc 'The FMC' Stellenbosch is available now at Off Premise in Lincoln Park, with pickup at 1128 W Armitage Ave, local Chicago delivery, or nationwide shipping.