Winemaker Notes
100% Grenache sourced from five vineyards.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Opening to a light ruby appearance with dried raspberry, cassis and spicy white pepper, the David & Nadia 2023 Swartland Grenache Noir (with 12,539 bottles created) has an exceedingly fine and elegant style with polished tannins. The wine is lean in consistency but beautifully bright and vertical. With time, it shows floral nuances, ferrous earth and rusted tin can. This is one of the best Grenache Noirs from South Africa.
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PinotReport
Very fragrant, showing notes of wild strawberries, raspberries, pink peppercorns, oranges and star anise. It’s medium-bodied, bright and pure, with plenty of energy and very fine tannins. Evolves to a savory, spicy and elegant finish. Drink or hold.
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Vinous
The 2023 Grenache Noir, which was picked before 100mm of rain fell, has an expressive bouquet with Morello cherry, wild strawberry and wilted rose petal scents that open beautifully in the glass. The palate is well balanced with vivacious cranberry and pomegranate fruit, nicely detailed tannins and a poised, persistent finish. Very sophisticated.
Grenache thrives in any warm, Mediterranean climate where ample sunlight allows its clusters to achieve full phenolic ripeness. While Grenache's birthplace is Spain (there called Garnacha), today it is more recognized as the key player in the red blends of the Southern Rhône, namely Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône and its villages. Somm Secret—The Italian island of Sardinia produces bold, rustic, single varietal Grenache (there called Cannonau). California, Washington and Australia have achieved found success with Grenache, both flying solo and in blends.
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.