The Royal, Chenin Blanc borrows its name from a grand old hotel in Riebeek Kasteel. It is the oldest hotel in the Western Cape; a beloved fixture of the area.
As the unofficial drink of the Riebeek Valley, Chenin Blanc is the perfect every day wine that offers uncomplicated quality for the novice and connoisseur alike. Packed with upfront melon fruit, the nose charms with an abundance of guava and gooseberries as well as the signature hint of honey. The palate follows through with fruit flavors balanced by a crisp acidity to ensure a fresh and fruity style of wine.
Enjoy well-chilled as a lovely crisp glass on its own, or ideal for al fresco dining and with light summer fare. Beautiful with salads, anti pasti and seafood.
"This has chenin’s broad, waxy texture, even if the flavors are more like sauvignon blanc, hinting at guava and green herbs. It’s juicy and fresh, with zippy acidity that makes it easy to drink."
- Wine & Spirits Magazine (February 2019) - 87 pts
"This lean, orange-scented chenin has a creamy texture and spicy, white-tea warmth. For planked salmon."
- Wine & Spirits Magazine (Best for $12 or Less wines, February 2018) - 86 pts - Top 100 Values
"The 2015 Chenin Blanc offers loads of melony fruit interspersed with hints of honeysuckle and peach. It is delicious, crisp, fresh, lively, and a dead ringer for a good Loire Valley Chenin Blanc. Drink it over the next year."
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (March 2016), 87 pts - Excellent Wine Values for Under $25
"Yellow color. Aromas of peach, honey, wool sweater, and white raspberry with a round, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a smooth, layered, medium-length nectarine, roasted pineapple, dried honey, and sweet lime finish with no tannins and no oak. The perfect wine when you are in the mood for plenty of lush fruit and complexity that also remains balanced thru the dry fruit finish."
- Beverage tasting Institute (October 10th 2014), 90 pts + BEST BUY
- GOLD MEDAL
"Pale gold color; hay and honeysuckle, green tea and lemongrass, hint of roasted lemon and spiced pear; lovely mild citrus flavors, brisk acidity, sleek texture, finish has a hint of grapefruit; very tasty and attractive all around. Very Good+. A Bargain of the Century."
- Fredric Koeppel's Bigger than Your Head (October 10th 2014), Very Good +
"One of the greatest buys I have tasted this year is this under $10, 100% Chenin Blanc from the Western Cape. A super flowery-scented nose includes notions of ripe honeydew melons and pears. This medium-weight, fresh, fruity, crisp, dry, textbook Chenin Blanc will provide immense pleasure over the next 12 months."- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #208, August 2013), 90 pts
"This is a tremendous little white wine, crisp and refreshing, yet exuberant with fruit. Steen is a South African name for Chenin Blanc, and this wine conveniently puts both names on the label to avoid confusion. Ideal by itself or with casual foods, it comes with a warning; You will want to open a second one. Fortunatly, the price is accomodating. South African chenin blanc may be one of the world's best white wine values, and this wine shows why"- Washington Post (2012), ** ½
Riebeek Cellars is located in the picturesque Riebeek Valley, in the heart of the Swartland wine region of South Africa. Established in 1941 by a group of nine local farmers, ...
Read More