Dirty Little Secret is the crown jewel of Ken Forrester’s cellar: a secret blend of multiple vintages of old-vine Chenin Blanc, some parcels over 60 years old. It’s intoxicating, complex, profoundly textural and hauntingly long. This is Chenin at its most intricate: layers of fruit, spice, mineral and maturity woven into a seamless whole.
Ken Forrester, The Producer
Ken calls this wine “the ultimate expression of Chenin Blanc”, and he’s not exaggerating. Dirty Little Secret is crafted from ancient bush vines tended with obsessive care. Winemaking is deliberately restrained: natural ferments, old barrels, slow ageing and meticulous blending. Ken refuses to detail the exact recipe, partly because it changes every release, and partly because mystery is part of the wine’s charm. This is a wine that rewards contemplation and showcases the pinnacle of South African white winemaking.
About the Wine
Expect layers of dried apricot, preserved lemon, orange blossom, chamomile, crushed almonds and honeycomb. The palate is deep, textured and structured, with a mineral backbone and fine acidity that keeps the wine fresh. Notes of brioche, beeswax and gentle spice appear as it opens. This is a wine to sip slowly and let evolve in the glass.
Food Pairing Suggestion
Serve with seared scallops, foie gras or aged Comté.
Did you know?
Dirty Little Secret is produced in extremely limited quantities, often fewer than 1000 bottles.
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