2019 DAK WIJN, Villiera. Stellenbosch, South Africa

Villiera is a 180 hectare estate established in 1983, owned and run by the Grier family.
From their website:
“The 2017 was our first vintage of Dak Wijn. After many trips to our Vineyard in the South of France (Domaine Grier) where we tasted some great Rivesaltes Ambres, Rancios etc. (placed outside in demijohns and exposed to all the elements) we decided to try one for ourselves.
The Chenin was partially fermented before fortifying, leaving some residual sugar. To add to its complexity and interest it was placed in demijohns on the tasting room roof for eight months. There it was madeirised in the sun and allowed to partially oxidise under a light flor veil. After enough time in the jars it was placed in used barrels for 14 months to settle.
There are only 600x 500ml bottles of this wine.”

The 2017 was a huge hit at our Villiera tasting, with Cathy Grier, at The Old Bridge in 2019. The 2019 is just as good.