Full Review

Kevin O’Leary

Kevin O’Leary
2025 Reserve Series, Chenin Blanc, Western Cape

Pair this wine with:
Chicken Shellfish Vegetables

Category: Chenin Blanc

Date Tasted:
Country: South Africa
Alcohol: 12.8%
90 Points
Gold Medal
Exceptional
$25

Kevin O’Leary
2025 Reserve Series, Chenin Blanc, Western Cape

Pair this wine with:
Chicken Shellfish Vegetables

Category: Chenin Blanc

Date Tasted:
Country: South Africa
Alcohol: 12.8%
Silvery straw color. Fruity aromas and flavors of spiced peach and apple, nougat, and melon rind with a silky, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a tingling, compelling, long finish that shows accents of candied citrus peel and orange pepper. A crisp, palate refreshing white wine that is a great aperitif and a perfect pairing for salads and spicy dishes.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: Crisp & Lively, Fruity, Juicy & Smooth, New World & Non-Oaky
Aroma Aroma: spiced peach and apple, nougat, and melon rind
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with accents of candied citrus peel and orange pepper
Sweetness Sweetness: Dry-yet-Fruity
Enjoy Enjoy: Now-3 years on its own and with food
Recipes Pairing: Chicken Satay, Thai Green Papaya Salad, Chicken Fajitas
Bottom Line Bottom Line: A crisp, palate refreshing white wine that is a great aperitif and a perfect pairing for salads and spicy dishes.

The Producer

Splash Wines / Vino Voyage

The Producer

Their Portfolio

85 Eclat 2023 White Moscato, California 12% (USA) $15.00.
88 Frutas NV Red Sangria, California 8% (USA) $6.00.
85 Frutas NV Pink Sangria, California 8% (USA) $6.00.
92 Frutas NV White Sangria, California 8% (USA) $6.00.
88 Gordon Creek 2021 Syrah, California 13.8% (USA) $23.00.
BR Joli NV Blackberry Marionberry Bliss Wine Cocktail, California 5% (USA) $6.00. - Bronze Medal
87 Joli NV Watermelon Strawberry Breeze Wine Cocktail, California 5% (USA) $6.00.
88 Joli NV Peach Orange Blossom Wine Cocktail, California 5% (USA) $7.00.
93 Kevin O’Leary NV Reserve Series, Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley 14.1% (USA) $14.00.
88 Kevin O’Leary 2023 Reserve Series, Cabernet Sauvignon, California 14% (USA) $25.00.
89 Kevin O’Leary 2023 Reserve Series, Chardonnay, California 12.5% (USA) $25.00.
88 Kevin O’Leary NV Reserve Series Rose, California 11% (USA) $25.00.
91 Kevin O’Leary 2023 Reserve Series, Moscato, California 10% (USA) $25.00.
90 Kevin O’Leary 2025 Reserve Series, Chenin Blanc, Western Cape 12.8% (South Africa) $25.00.
89 Kevin O’Leary 2024 Reserve Series, Shiraz, South-Eastern Australia 13.8% (Australia) $25.00.
87 Lavender Valley 2021 Zinfandel, California 14.5% (USA) $15.00.
87 Le Plume 2023 Chardonnay, California 14% (USA) $15.00.
93 Peach Ridge 2022 White Moscato, California 10% (USA) $13.00.
85 Rovino 2021 Winemakers Selection, Pinot Noir, California 14.5% (USA) $14.00.
90 Season’s Greetings 2023 Chardonnay, California 14.5% (USA) $22.00.
88 Serene Hills 2022 Chardonnay, California 13.5% (USA) $22.00.
86 Turnstone Cellars 2023 Rocky Ridge Vineyards, Chardonnay, California 14.5% (USA) $14.00.
91 Vina De Le Colina 2023 Red Blend, Spain 14% (Spain) $24.00.
87 Vino Village NV Cabernet Sauvignon, California 14% (USA) $15.00.
88 Vino Village NV Chardonnay, California 14% (USA) $15.00.
BR Vino Village NV Rosé, California 13% (USA) $15.00. - Bronze Medal
90 Wild Wings 2022 Rose, California 13.5% (USA) $22.00.
86 Willowbench Vineyard 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, California 13.5% (USA) $15.00.
BR Wine Sisterhood 2022 Blooming Rose, California 12.5% (USA) $25.00. - Bronze Medal
87 Wine Sisterhood 2022 Sunlit, Chardonnay, California 12.5% (USA) $25.00.
88 Wine Sisterhood 2021 Velvet Vine, Petite Sirah, California 14.5% (USA) $25.00.
90 Wine Sisterhood 2024 Golden Petal, White Moscato, California 12% (USA) $25.00.
BR Wine Sisterhood 2022 Garden Breeze, Sauvignon Blanc, California 12.5% (USA) $25.00. - Bronze Medal
91 Wine Sisterhood 2021 Midnight Bloom, Cabernet Sauvignon, California 14.5% (USA) $25.00.

Chenin Blanc

Wine Glass White.jpg
Serve in a White Wine Glass
Chenin Blanc is a white wine made in numerous styles; the most famous examples are from France's Loire Valley, while there are also some notable versions from South Africa and California.

Chenin Blanc has very high acidity and is often produced in an off-dry style called demi-sec. A dry style from the Loire is called Savennières. There are also sparking versions of Chenin Blanc, namely Crémant de Loire also known as Saumur.

Dry versions are made by a few artisan estates in California, although a typical inexpensive California version is off-dry or lightly sweet. Steel aged with appealing citrus fruit, these wines should be drunk young and pair well with simple salads.

Top Rated for
Chenin Blanc

William Heritage 2023 Limited Release, Chenin Blanc, Outer Coastal Plain
92 POINTS
William Heritage 2023 Limited Release, Chenin Blanc, Outer Coastal Plain
12.6% $34.00.
USA
Darling Cellars 2024 Arum Fields Reserve, Chenin Blanc, Darling
91 POINTS
Darling Cellars 2024 Arum Fields Reserve, Chenin Blanc, Darling
12.5% $16.00.
South Africa
Ste Chapelle NV Open Air, Chenin Blanc, Idaho
90 POINTS
Ste Chapelle NV Open Air, Chenin Blanc, Idaho
13.5% $24.00.
USA
Biltmore Estate 2022 Limited Release, Chenin Blanc, American
86 POINTS
Biltmore Estate 2022 Limited Release, Chenin Blanc, American
13% $19.00.
USA

Best Buys for
Chenin Blanc

Darling Cellars 2024 Arum Fields Reserve, Chenin Blanc, Darling
91 POINTS
Darling Cellars 2024 Arum Fields Reserve, Chenin Blanc, Darling
12.5% $16.00.
South Africa