Coterie by Wildeberg Chenin Blanc Grenache Blanc

£14.99

£19.99 per litre · incl. 20% VAT

In Stock

Old-vine Franschhoek Chenin meets younger Paarl Grenache Blanc in a white blend that feels properly grown-up. Ripe white peach and apricot lifted by jasmine and a flicker of white spice, with that hallmark Cape texture running through the finish. Naturally fermented, gently oaked, and just the thing for a long, slow lunch.

Not for sale to persons under 18. Adult signature required on delivery.

Region

South Africa

Grape

Chenin Blanc, Blends, Grenache

Oak

Coterie by Wildeberg Chenin Blanc Grenache Blanc, WO Coastal Region 2023 A ripe, succulent combination of 65% Chenin from a 40 year old Franschhoek vineyard and 35% Grenache Blanc from Paarl, both naturally fermented and aged 6 months in 2nd and 3rd fill 600 litre barrels. Both components were naturally fermented in 600 litre French oak barrels

Drinking Window

Drinks beautifully on release and over the next 3-4 years; the old-vine Chenin component will carry the wine through five years in cool cellar conditions.

UK wide delivery

Expert curated

Sourced direct

Our Verdict

We've poured a lot of Cape white blends over the years, and Coterie is one of the few in this price bracket that genuinely tastes like it should cost more. The 1962 Franschhoek Chenin gives it real backbone, that old-vine grip you can't fake, and the Grenache Blanc lifts the whole thing into something more interesting than a straight varietal could manage. It's the wine we reach for when someone says they want a white with a bit of substance but doesn't fancy Chardonnay. A small allocation comes our way each year, and it tends to move quickly.

Tasting Notes

White peach and ripe apricot lead on the nose, lifted by a delicate jasmine perfume that hints at the Grenache Blanc component. The palate is generous and textured, that's the forty-year-old Franschhoek Chenin doing its work, giving weight and a lanolin-like grip, while the Grenache Blanc weaves through with white spice and an exotic, almost orange-blossom note. The finish is rich but never heavy, held in line by a saline, mouth-watering freshness that keeps you reaching for the next sip.

White peach & apricot

Ripe orchard fruit fills the glass, sun-warmed white peach and soft apricot, the kind of generous fruit only old Chenin bush vines deliver.

Jasmine lift

A floral, almost perfumed top note from the Grenache Blanc, jasmine and orange blossom that gives the wine its alluring, exotic edge.

White spice

A whisper of ginger and white pepper threads through the palate, adding intrigue and making the wine feel restless rather than rich.

Old-vine texture

Six months in seasoned 600-litre French oak builds a creamy, lanolin-like weight that coats the palate without ever feeling heavy.

About This Wine

Here's a white that quietly proves what South Africa does better than almost anyone: take old-vine Chenin Blanc, give it a clever blending partner, and let the vineyards do the talking. Coterie by Wildeberg pairs 65% Chenin from a Franschhoek block planted in 1962 with 35% Grenache Blanc from younger Paarl vines. The Chenin brings the texture and tension; the Grenache Blanc throws in the jasmine, the white spice, the exotic lift.

On the nose, ripe white peach and apricot, with those floral notes drifting through. The palate is where it really earns its keep, generous and broad from the old bush vines, then tightened by a fresh, mineral seam that keeps everything in line. Both components were fermented naturally and aged six months in seasoned 600-litre French oak barrels, so there's no obvious wood character, just a quiet roundness that softens the edges.

This is a wine that wants food. Try it with a gentle Cape Malay fish curry, a Thai green curry, anything with lemongrass and coriander, or a piece of linefish straight off the braai. It also handles a roast chicken Sunday lunch with real grace.

Delivered across the UK, and a smart pick if you're sending something thoughtful to a friend who knows their Chenin, the kind of bottle they'll text you about after the first glass.

Food Pairing

This is a wine built for spice and texture. The body handles a gentle Thai green curry beautifully, while the jasmine notes echo lemongrass and coriander in the dish. It loves anything off the barbecue with a bit of char, whole sea bass with herbs, or grilled prawns with lime. Roast chicken with tarragon is a quieter, equally rewarding match.

—Thai green fish curry with lemongrass and coriander
—Cape Malay chicken curry with yellow rice
—Whole barbecued sea bass with herbs and lemon
—Roast chicken with tarragon and crème fraîche
—Grilled tiger prawns with chilli, garlic and lime

How to Serve

Temperature

Lightly chilled, not fridge-cold. Half an hour in the fridge from room temperature, or pull it out twenty minutes before pouring.

Decanting

No need to decant, but don't be afraid to. Pouring into a jug or carafe half an hour before serving lets the jasmine and white spice notes really emerge, too cold and they stay locked in.

Glass

A medium-bowled white wine glass or a Burgundy-style glass, the texture and aromatics need a bit of room to express themselves.

Cellaring

Store on its side in a cool, dark place at a steady 10-14°C. Will hold and develop for three to five years from release under proper conditions.

Ageing & Cellaring

Drinking beautifully right now, but there's plenty in reserve. The old-vine Chenin backbone will carry this for another three to four years in a cool, dark spot, and up to five if you've got proper cellar conditions. Expect the fruit to deepen towards honey and beeswax as the floral notes settle.

The Land

The Chenin comes from a low-yielding Franschhoek vineyard planted in 1962, old bush vines that dig deep, ripen slowly, and deliver concentration and texture in small quantities. The Grenache Blanc comes from younger plantings in Paarl, where warmer slopes and arid soils coax out the variety's natural perfume of jasmine and white spice.

The Winemaking

Both components ferment naturally on their own wild yeasts in 600-litre French oak barrels, then settle there for six months on lees. The barrels are second and third fill, so there's no fresh oak shouting over the fruit, just gentle breathing room, soft texture-building, and a touch of spice. Coarse filtration only, keeping the wine's natural shape intact. It's a quiet, hands-off approach designed to let the vineyards speak.

About the Producer

Franschhoek

Black Elephant Vintners cheerfully describe themselves as Rebels of the Vine, and the name itself tells the story, Swart and Ndlovu translate as Black and Elephant, with Jacques the Vintner completing the trio. Kevin, Jacques and Raymond came together in Franschhoek to do things their own way: irreverent labels, music-led pairings, and a refusal to take the industry too seriously. The wines themselves, though, are made with proper care. There's craft behind the cheek, and the playful packaging hides genuinely thoughtful winemaking. Think of them as the producer who turns up to a black-tie dinner in a band t-shirt, and still pours the best glass of the night.

Learn More →