Winemaker Notes
The 2021 Palladius offers early-picked stone fruit and subtle citrus aromas, accompanied by a mineral and salty palate that hints at future depth. Earthy and lanolin layers add complexity to the aroma profile. The wine's palate is substantial, with tightly wound tannins and acidity, indicating its potential for long-term aging and a bold character. Among this year's offerings, this wine stands out.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Toeing the line to triple digits, the 2021 Palladius is a blend of Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier, Sémillon, Colombard, Verdellho and Palomino. Instantly impressive in the glass, the wine is bold with waxy aromas that sway with seductive notes of lemon pastry cream, dusty melon and citrus blossoms. Medium-bodied and with 13.7% alcohol, the palate is succulent and bright with fantastic acid and displays a kiss of phenolic bitterness that beams with focus and precision. Subtle notes of beeswax and lees drive the finish with immense complexity and considerable weight. The aftertaste summersaults with complexity, offering fresh and bright citrus notes with notions of dusty flowers. It will remain food friendly for decades. It's devastatingly beautiful and cerebral.
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James Suckling
This is showing aromas of waxed lemons, thyme, grapefruit rind, mango stones, apricots, white flowers and sea shells. Seductively supple, fresh, with bright acidity and a seashell-like minerality. Sophisticated, seamless blend that makes you think. Holding back a little at the moment. Blend of 35% chenin blanc, with equal parts of marsanne, roussanne, clairette, colombard, viognier, verdelho, palomino, grenache blanc, grenache gris, semillon blanc and semillon gris.
With hundreds of white grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended white wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used in white wine blends, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a variety that creates a soft and full-bodied white wine blend, like Chardonnay, would do well combined with one that is more fragrant and naturally high in acidity. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
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.