Tiger Horse Chenin Blanc/Pinot Grigio 2020

A charming surprise that leans more serious than it first lets on. The nose opens with bruised pear, yellow apple, and a gentle honeyed lift, threaded with chamomile and a faint waxy lanolin note that quietly signals the Chenin’s presence. There’s a soft oxidative edge—nothing unruly, more like the patina of time—bringing in hints of almond skin and dried hay. On the palate, it holds together with surprising poise: a mix of orchard fruit and light citrus peel, carried by a subtle, lingering acidity that keeps it from drifting. The Pinot Grigio adds a kind of neutral frame, but it’s the Chenin that’s doing the talking here—filling out the mid-palate and stretching the finish with a quiet, confident hum.

Not profound, but deeply satisfying in that unpretentious, “why don’t we drink more of this?” way. And yes—another small reminder that Chenin, even in humble company, rarely forgets how to age. - Ben C.