Prentice Wine | Pinot Ramato | Pinot Sauvage | Tar & Roses | Chenin Blanc

In the mid 1990’s I produced several vintages of Chenin Blanc, bone dry, lightly aromatic with Granny Smith acidity. They were inspired as much by Viv Thompson’s wines as great Loire Valley Chenin. I would love to produce Chenin again but have enough on my plate at the moment…..one day; Prentice Rabelais Chenin Blanc.

Rabelais, the great French poet who’s home was the Loire, wrote that Chenin “had the texture of taffeta”.

Curtis Marsh, who sold the Prentice wines called it the “Gin and Tonic” of white varieties.

Recently I had some well cellared Prentice Chenin Blanc’s from 1994 and 1995. They were fantastic! I really need to find some good fruit again….

Prentice Chenin Blanc 1995
The man whose name is on these smartly labeled wines, Neil Prentice, has loads of experience in contemporary restaurants. As a result, he reckons he knows the sort of table wines that work well with fashionable modern cuisine. Las year the Uncorked panelists found a Prentice grenache-based red confirmed his credentials in this area, and now a pleasing chenin blanc adds to his reputation. It's a wine that doesn't rely on a brash fruitiness for its appeal. Rather, it has some of the subdued, structured charm found in good European white wine. On the nose there are interesting honey, pear and talcum powder aromas, and the dry palate has mineral/lees/fruit complexity and long flavor. Read full article...

Score: 17 out of 20

The Age
July 16 1996

Prentice
Neil Prentice is a knock-about wine man who has spent 10 years becoming an overnight sensation. Judging by the three wines he has out under his name, he is likely to become just that if he keeps up this kind of approach and standard. A clued-up bloke is Neil. I have been bumping into him at all kinds of wine shows and tastings, and in various bars, for a decade, and he has always impressed with his wine knowledge, his palate and his opinions.Down-to-earth and plain of phrase, Neil is nevertheless one of those people with a formidable palate memory and love of wine trivia... Read full article...

Tony Hitchin
The Age - Sunday Magazine
March 3 1996

Prentice 1995
This is a chenin blanc with some refreshing varietal characters. The nose has a strong apple aroma with a hint of cinnamon. The palate is pleasantly tart with Granny Smith flavors and a steely backbone. The finish is crisp and lingering. It can be served well chilled. The alcohol is 11.5 per cent volume. Read full article...

Mark Shield's Beer, Spirits & Wine Guide
December 1995 - February 1996