Winemaker Notes
David & Nadia's main Chenin Blanc from the Swartland focusses yet again on various Old Vine Vineyards, with plantings ranging from 1968 till 1986. The wine is based on granite from the Paardeberg, blended with shale/schist from the east, more clay rich soils from the north and iron rich soils from the western parts of the Swartland. Dry land farmed bush vines have stood the test of time and it showcases the ultimate reason why Chenin Blanc is their main focus in the Swartland. In total the wine is made from 8 vineyards, 18 pickings, different soils, different aspects, different vineyard ages, farmed by different people and different farmers. This wine illustrates the Swartland, its people and its old vineyards.
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Displaying a pale golden color and sourced from eight different vineyards, the 2021 Chenin Blanc offers a fine mineral sensation from being made partly in concrete eggs, while it expresses soft leesy and subtly spiced essences from being rested in oak. Light to medium-bodied, The wine offers lovely notions of citrus blossom, sweet citrons and dusty cherry skin. With a delicate nature, this medium-framed wine is bright and complex while delivering a thought-provoking, food-friendly finish. Bravo!
-
James Suckling
Aromas of lemon curd, sweet thyme, white tea and wet stone. Medium-bodied with supple texture. Fresh and bright, but soft and rounded with charming nuance. So elegant. From bush vines planted in 1986.
Unquestionably one of the most diverse grape varieties, Chenin Blanc can do it all. It shines in every style from bone dry to unctuously sweet, oaked or unoaked, still or sparkling and even as the base for fortified wines and spirits. Perhaps Chenin Blanc’s greatest asset is its ever-present acidity, maintained even under warm growing conditions. Somm Secret—Landing in South Africa in the mid 1800s, today the country has double the acreage of Chenin Blanc planted compared to France. There is also a new wave of dedicated producers committed to restoring old Chenin vines.
Literally meaning "the black land," Swartland takes its name from the endangered, indigenous "renosterbos" (translating to rhino bush), which used to be plentiful enough to turn the entire landscape a dark color certain during times of year. The district, attracting some of the most adventurous and least interventionist winemakers, excels in robust and full-bodied reds as well as quality fortified wines.