David and Nadia’s wines epitomise the best of South African Chenin Blanc. With a dedicated focus on old-vine Chenin and Grenache Noir, they create wines of purity from 100% dryland-farmed bush vines, grown in their beloved Swartland region. The 2024s are here and they’re extraordinary!
We tasted the new releases at their Swartland home and the 95-point Aristargos 2024 is brimming with energy. A 7-variety blend from a staggering 16 different vineyards, it’s quiet and refined, with white stone fruit and a Meursault-like oatmeal texture.
The 2024 Chenin is a wine of understated power. Christian Eedes agrees, scoring it 95-points! Hailing from 8 different vineyards, 25 pickings, and plantings from 1968 to 1986, the 2024 is saline, textured and full of personality. Their lauded single-vineyard Chenins form the backbone of both this and the Aristargos, and it shows.
A major highlight of the release is their 2024 Grenache. David and Nadia note it has ‘more structure than before’, marrying perfumed elegance with power and finesse. This is a must for Grenache enthusiasts.
The Elpidios 2023 red blend is ‘one of the tightest bottlings we have ever done’, enthuses David. It’s a touch more austere than the 2022 and slow to unfurl but becomes so flavourful and moreish with time in the glass.
2024 was a tough vintage in the Swartland, with a punishingly wet winter, but David & Nadia have produced some of our favourite wines this year. Their latest release shows a real confidence in their decision to focus on quality over quantity.
Tasting Notes:
‘51% Chenin Blanc, 13% Colombar, 11% Semillon, 10% Clairette Blanche, 8% Marsanne, 6% Roussanne, 1% Grenache Blanc. Complex if somewhat elusive aromatics of pear, lime, peach, apple, soft citrus, thatch, herbs, a little leesy character and earth. The palate is well balanced with concentrated fruit and a savoury, lightly grippy finish. Intellectually demanding rather than showy – a slow-burner that rewards attention. Alc: 13%.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 95/100
David & Nadia Chenin Blanc 2024
‘Grapes for eight different vineyards. The nose is expressive with notes of citrus, peach, potpourri and hay. The palate exhibits controlled power – pure fruit, fresh acidity, the finish long and deeply savoury, even bitter. Focused, poised and precise.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 95/100
David & Nadia Grenache Noir 2024
‘Enticing aromatics of strawberry, raspberry, rose, fynbos and spice. Medium bodied with fresh acidity and powdery tannins, the finish nicely dry. Elegant, refined, urgent. Alc: 14%.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 93/100
‘26% Grenache, 24% Syrah, 22% Carignan, 20% Pinotage, 8% Cinsault. Cranberry, raspberry, plum, pomegranate, olive, fynbos, earth and spice on the nose while the palate is medium bodied, flavourful and fresh. Well balanced and not without depth – good fruit definition, lemon-like acidity and fine tannins. Alc: 13.5%.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 94/100
