Sherrah Chenin Blanc 2025: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Textural & mouth-filling

Sherrah Chenin Blanc 2025 is a bright, textured McLaren Vale white from 30-year-old vines in Blewitt Springs. It brings lemon zest, orchard fruit, blossoms, balm, young sage and a subtle savoury edge, with just enough skin contact and seasoned oak to give the palate shape. Dry, fresh and quietly complex, this is Chenin Blanc with both summer brightness and dinner-table substance.

Highlights

• 93 points, Silver — Marcus Ellis, Halliday Wine Companion
• Crafted by Sherrah Wines — small-batch McLaren Vale producer led by Alex Sherrah
• Grown on 30-year-old Chenin Blanc vines at Willamba vineyard in Blewitt Springs
• Six hours on skins, 50% stainless steel ferment and 50% seasoned oak ferment
• Stored on lees in seasoned oak for 4 months; no acid additions
• 12.5% ABV

Tasting Notes

Bright lemon zest and tropical fruit lead the nose, followed by orchard fruit, blossoms, lemon pith, balm, green olive and young sage. The palate is dry and gently textured, with a faint slip, light grip and a clean line of acidity. Seasoned oak and lees contact add quiet roundness and savoury detail, while the finish stays fresh, citrusy and food-friendly.

Winemaking

The grapes were harvested in the cool before dawn, then given around six hours on skins before pressing. Half the wine was fermented in stainless steel with a light amount of solids, while the other half was fermented in seasoned oak. The finished wine was kept on lees in seasoned oak for four months before bottling, with no acid additions. The result is a white wine with freshness, texture and subtle savoury complexity.

Vineyard & Vintage

This Chenin Blanc comes from 30-year-old vines at the Willamba vineyard in Blewitt Springs, one of the highest parts of McLaren Vale and around 15km inland. The site has a mild climate, gully breezes and deep sand and loam over a clay base. These conditions suit Chenin Blanc beautifully, giving the wine natural brightness, citrus detail and enough palate weight to handle texture and lees work.

Why We Love It

This is not a plain, sharp white; it has layers. Lemon zest and orchard fruit give immediate refreshment, while balm, sage, fine texture and seasoned oak make it more interesting with food. It is a smart choice for anyone who loves fresh whites but wants a little more shape and savoury complexity in the glass.

Food Pairing

Sherrah Chenin Blanc 2025 is excellent with dishes that balance citrus, herbs, salt and gentle richness. Its acidity suits seafood and roast chicken, while the textural palate works beautifully with halloumi, roast vegetables, creamy cheeses and lightly spiced food.

Try matching this wine with →

• Lemon herb roast chicken with crisp potatoes — Find a Recipe
• Grilled halloumi salad with herbs and citrus — Find a Recipe
• Kingfish ceviche with lime, herbs and chilli — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

For long lunches, seafood dinners, roast chicken Sundays and anyone who wants a white wine with freshness plus a little extra texture. It is bright enough for sunshine, but serious enough for the table.

Cellaring

Drink now to 2030. Chenin Blanc’s natural acidity gives it good short-to-medium-term ageing potential, and this wine has enough texture and savoury detail to develop further. Drink young for lemon zest and orchard fruit, or cellar for added honeyed and nutty complexity.

Producer

Sherrah Wines is a small-batch McLaren Vale producer led by Alex Sherrah. Alex’s background spans organic chemistry, pharmacology, oenology, international vintages and senior winemaking roles in South Australia, including time at Coriole and Haselgrove. Sherrah specialises in Chenin Blanc, Fiano, Nero d’Avola, Grenache and Shiraz, with a focus on balance, texture and wines that are smooth from front to back. The wines are made with a thoughtful, hands-on approach that highlights McLaren Vale sites without unnecessary heaviness.

Related Wines To Try →

For other textural, food-friendly whites with freshness and interest, try these:

• Textural biodynamic Barossa white with peach, honeydew, pear and roasted nuts — Kalleske Congruous Chenin Blanc Semillon
• Organic Fiano with citrus blossom, white peach, toasted almond and mineral length — Love Not War Organic Fiano
• Organic skin-contact white with citrus, stone fruit and herbal grip — See Saw SAMM Skin Contact Sav Blanc Marsanne

FAQ

What does Sherrah Chenin Blanc 2025 taste like?

It tastes like lemon zest, orchard fruit, blossoms, lemon pith, balm, young sage and a little green olive savouriness. The palate is dry, bright and textured, with fine grip and a clean citrus finish. It is fresh enough for warm weather but has enough depth for food.

Is this Chenin Blanc sweet or dry?

This is a dry Chenin Blanc. The fruit is bright and expressive, with lemon zest, apple, pear and gentle tropical notes, but the finish is clean and savoury rather than sweet. Its acidity keeps the wine crisp and balanced.

Is Sherrah Chenin Blanc full-bodied?

It sits around medium-bodied for a white wine. Stainless steel fermentation keeps it fresh, while seasoned oak and lees contact add texture and roundness. It has more shape than a simple crisp white, but it is not rich or heavy.

How should I serve this wine?

Serve it chilled at around 8–10°C. A standard white wine glass or universal glass works well, giving the lemon, orchard fruit and herbal notes enough room to open. Avoid serving it too cold, as the texture and savoury detail will be muted.

Should I decant Sherrah Chenin Blanc?

No decanting is needed. Open it shortly before serving and let it come up slightly from fridge temperature in the glass. The wine’s texture and subtle oak detail become more expressive as it warms gently.

Does this wine contain preservatives or sulphites?

This wine contains sulphites. It is not a no-added-preservative wine. For wines made without added preservative sulphites, explore our No Added Preservative wine range.

Is Sherrah Chenin Blanc vegan friendly?

This wine is suitable for vegan drinkers. Its texture comes from skin contact, lees work and seasoned oak rather than heavy winemaking. The result is bright, savoury and very food-friendly.

What food pairs best with this Chenin Blanc?

It is excellent with lemon herb roast chicken, kingfish ceviche, grilled halloumi, seafood, roast vegetables, pork, creamy cheeses and herby salads. The acidity handles richness, while the subtle grip works with texture and salt. For a vegetarian match, try grilled halloumi or roast cauliflower with lemon and herbs.

Who will love this wine?

It will suit drinkers who enjoy crisp whites but want more texture and complexity. If you like Chenin Blanc, Fiano, Vermentino or unoaked Chardonnay with savoury detail, this is a lovely choice. It is also a smart option for Sauvignon Blanc drinkers ready for something a little more layered.

Is this wine keto friendly?

Yes, this is a dry white wine and a better fit for keto-conscious drinkers than sweet, off-dry or dessert wines. Chenin Blanc can be made in many sweetness levels, but this Sherrah release is firmly in the dry, savoury style. Suitability still depends on your own dietary goals and serving size.

(SKU: SH_ChB_CV)