NV, Dirty Little Secret Five, Ken Forrester
EDKA RATING: 96
| Standard Price | Membership Price | Mix 6 or more |
|---|---|---|
| £161.00 | £112.50 | £137.00 |
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Description
NV Dirty Little Secret Five, Ken Forrester
About the Winery: Ken Forrester Vineyards, located on the Helderberg slopes in Stellenbosch, is internationally renowned for its pioneering work with South African Chenin Blanc. The estate champions old-vine vineyards, biodiverse farming and meticulous artisanal winemaking. Dirty Little Secret (DLS) is Forrester’s most exclusive and experimental cuvée, produced in tiny quantities from extremely old bush-vine Chenin planted in the 1960s. Made using a perpetual solera-style system, ‘Five’ represents the fifth release, combining multiple vintages for extraordinary depth, complexity and texture.
Grape Variety: 100% Chenin Blanc (old-vine solera blend)
Appearance: Deep golden straw with brilliant highlights, reflecting both age-matured complexity and concentration from old vines and solera ageing.
Aroma: Intensely layered with notes of baked apple, dried apricot, quince paste and lemon curd, intertwined with honeycomb, toasted almond, beeswax, warm spice and gentle oxidative nuance. Subtle floral tones and mineral depth reflect the wine’s old-vine origins and solera development.
Palate: Rich, textural and remarkably long. Flavours of pear compote, citrus oil, bruised apple and savoury spice unfold across a creamy, multi-dimensional palate. Fine acidity balances layers of fruit, nutty complexity and gentle oxidative richness. The finish is expansive, persistent and beautifully composed — a rare, contemplative expression of Chenin Blanc.
Body: Full-bodied with luxurious texture and deep, layered concentration.
Acidity: Medium — supporting richness and enhancing balance across vintages within the solera.
Cellaring Potential: 10–15 years; gaining deeper nutty tones, honeyed intensity, savoury dimension and further textural complexity with bottle age.
Perfect Pairing: Foie gras, roast quail, slow-cooked pork, langoustine, mature cheeses, hazelnut dishes, truffle risotto and richly spiced cuisine. Its power and layered complexity pair beautifully with luxurious, flavour-intensive dishes.
Serving Temperature: 10–12°C to emphasise texture, aromatic depth and solera-derived nuances.
EDKA Wines – Professional Tasting Description.