MAN Family Wines - 'Free-Run Steen' - Chenin Blanc

MAN Family Wines - 'Free-Run Steen' - Chenin Blanc

MAN Family Wines makes Free-Run Steen from Chenin Blanc grown in South Africa's Coastal Region. Steen is the old Cape name for the grape, and this is a white built around ripe fruit and bright acidity.

The nose leads with guava, melon and tropical fruit, often with a waxy, beeswax note that takes a moment to open in the glass. On the palate, sweet citrus and orange rind mix with a touch of honey and dried mango. Fresh acidity and a mineral line keep it lively, and the finish carries good length.

Chenin Blanc suits this style well: generous in fruit, with the acidity to hold it together. The Coastal Region points to vineyards influenced by the sea, where cooler conditions help preserve freshness and give the wine its mineral edge.

Serve well chilled. It is a versatile food wine, working as an aperitif and carrying through to lunch. Seafood, roast chicken and lightly spiced dishes with some herbs all sit comfortably alongside it.