David & Nadia
About David & Nadia
Named Tim Atkin’s “Young Winemakers of the Year” in 2020, David & Nadia Sadie are quickly emerging as “a force to be reckoned with” in South Africa according to Jancis Robinson MW. Having started the family winery as recently as 2016, the husband and wife team have already forged what is undoubtedly "part of an elite group of South African Chenin Blanc producers" (Tim Atkin MW).
Intrigued and excited by Swartland’s enviable stock of old vines, David & Nadia work relentlessly on their labour of love to restore these low-yielding old vineyards. Not content with just that, however, they have also established new vineyards planted primarily with Grenache and Chenin Blanc. Keeping to strictly low-interventionist winemaking processes, their thoughtful and sensitive approach gives rise to light wines with lifted fruits, freshness and attractive aromas.
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Vinous (91)
The 2018 Aristargos is a blend of 53% Chenin Blanc, 13% Clairette, 13% Sémillon with some skin contact, 10% Roussanne, 2% Marsanne and 9% Viognier, from a mixture of old and younger vines from across 14 vineyards, matured in neutral oak for 11 months. It has a complex bouquet of nectarine, desiccated orange peel, grilled hazelnuts and a touch of almond. The palate is fresh on the entry with a fine bead of acidity and quite neutral in style, offering subtle, fleeting glimpses of orange zest and a tang of sea salt, though I would like just a little more weight on the finish. Give this a couple of years in bottle.Inc. VAT£174.29 -
Vinous (92+)
The 2016 Elpidios is a blend of red Rhône varieties, although with new vineyard plantings there is more Carignan. It includes 30% to 50% whole bunches and was matured in used French oak for 12 months, and another 12 months in bottle. It has a backward bouquet at first that opens with time, but it is very well defined, featuring blackberry, clove, bay leaf and white pepper, very understated in style but gaining clarity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin, quite insistent in terms of grip, and possesses fine backbone courtesy of the Carignan on the slightly ferrous finish. Excellent.Inc. VAT£170.44 -
Vinous (95)
The 2018 Hoë-Steen is predominantly Chenin Blanc, planted toward Darling on deep iron-clay soils and usually picked after the reds. The vines were planted in 1968. This has a more stony bouquet than the Skaliekop, a very slight nutty/smoky note emanating from a few Palomino vines. The palate is just superb. It is supremely well defined with a lovely lock of salinity that runs from start to finish. There is tangible energy to this wine, which displays a hint of tangerine and even menthol toward the finish. Superb.Inc. VAT£434.69 -
Vinous (94)
The name of the maiden 2018 Plat’bos (“low bush”) indicates the kind of vines it comes from, lying in a vineyard adjacent to the Skaliekop on pure granite soils. It has a unapologetically silty, stony bouquet, very reserved and austere yet with an enthralling intensity that seems almost paradoxical. The palate is very well balanced. Perhaps one of the most concentrated of David and Nadia Sadie’s wines, it reveals a crescendo of flavors, with tangerine, citrus peel, stem ginger and a touch of rhubarb toward the persistent finish. This is another impressive Chenin from this producer.Inc. VAT£451.49 -
Vinous (93)
The 2018 Skaliekop comes from shale soils in the Paaderberg subregion, the Chenin Blanc vines planted in 1985. It is blessed with a very aromatic bouquet of pressed white flowers and jasmine; a little honeysuckle emerges with time. The palate is fresh on the entry with a fine bead of acidity. This is understated and very well balanced, and quite reminiscent of Chris Alheit’s style of winemaking. A delicious tang of sea salt appears toward the finish. One of those wines where the adage “more is better” is surely apt.Inc. VAT£434.69 -
Inc. VAT£239.09
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Vinous (92)
The 2018 Chenin Blanc comes from seven vineyards, the vines planted between 1962 and 1982 (and therefore eligible for the “Old Vine Project”). It has a lovely bouquet of apricot blossom, white peach, pine nuts and orange pith, the latter becoming more pronounced with aeration. The palate is well balanced with a smooth, rounded texture. This is a slightly richer Chenin Blanc from Sadie, yet still very well balanced. Nashi pear and clementine notes appear toward the elegant, almost understated finish. Top-class. Just 5,000 bottles.Inc. VAT£187.49 -
Vinous (92)
The 2018 Grenache includes 60% whole bunches and comes from two main sites, on iron and granite soils. It has a lovely, very pure bouquet of red cherries, crushed strawberry, pressed flowers and wild hedgerow, all extremely natural and well defined. The palate is fresh on the entry, offering plenty of crunchy fruit and oddly reminiscent of an artisan Beaujolais. The light but energetic, tensile finish has just enough dryness to encourage another sip. Very fine.Inc. VAT£279.89
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Vinous (91)
The 2018 Aristargos is a blend of 53% Chenin Blanc, 13% Clairette, 13% Sémillon with some skin contact, 10% Roussanne, 2% Marsanne and 9% Viognier, from a mixture of old and younger vines from across 14 vineyards, matured in neutral oak for 11 months. It has a complex bouquet of nectarine, desiccated orange peel, grilled hazelnuts and a touch of almond. The palate is fresh on the entry with a fine bead of acidity and quite neutral in style, offering subtle, fleeting glimpses of orange zest and a tang of sea salt, though I would like just a little more weight on the finish. Give this a couple of years in bottle.In Bond£126.00 -
Vinous (92+)
The 2016 Elpidios is a blend of red Rhône varieties, although with new vineyard plantings there is more Carignan. It includes 30% to 50% whole bunches and was matured in used French oak for 12 months, and another 12 months in bottle. It has a backward bouquet at first that opens with time, but it is very well defined, featuring blackberry, clove, bay leaf and white pepper, very understated in style but gaining clarity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin, quite insistent in terms of grip, and possesses fine backbone courtesy of the Carignan on the slightly ferrous finish. Excellent.In Bond£126.00 -
Vinous (95)
The 2018 Hoë-Steen is predominantly Chenin Blanc, planted toward Darling on deep iron-clay soils and usually picked after the reds. The vines were planted in 1968. This has a more stony bouquet than the Skaliekop, a very slight nutty/smoky note emanating from a few Palomino vines. The palate is just superb. It is supremely well defined with a lovely lock of salinity that runs from start to finish. There is tangible energy to this wine, which displays a hint of tangerine and even menthol toward the finish. Superb.In Bond£343.00 -
Vinous (94)
The name of the maiden 2018 Plat’bos (“low bush”) indicates the kind of vines it comes from, lying in a vineyard adjacent to the Skaliekop on pure granite soils. It has a unapologetically silty, stony bouquet, very reserved and austere yet with an enthralling intensity that seems almost paradoxical. The palate is very well balanced. Perhaps one of the most concentrated of David and Nadia Sadie’s wines, it reveals a crescendo of flavors, with tangerine, citrus peel, stem ginger and a touch of rhubarb toward the persistent finish. This is another impressive Chenin from this producer.In Bond£357.00 -
Vinous (93)
The 2018 Skaliekop comes from shale soils in the Paaderberg subregion, the Chenin Blanc vines planted in 1985. It is blessed with a very aromatic bouquet of pressed white flowers and jasmine; a little honeysuckle emerges with time. The palate is fresh on the entry with a fine bead of acidity. This is understated and very well balanced, and quite reminiscent of Chris Alheit’s style of winemaking. A delicious tang of sea salt appears toward the finish. One of those wines where the adage “more is better” is surely apt.In Bond£343.00 -
In Bond£180.00
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Vinous (92)
The 2018 Chenin Blanc comes from seven vineyards, the vines planted between 1962 and 1982 (and therefore eligible for the “Old Vine Project”). It has a lovely bouquet of apricot blossom, white peach, pine nuts and orange pith, the latter becoming more pronounced with aeration. The palate is well balanced with a smooth, rounded texture. This is a slightly richer Chenin Blanc from Sadie, yet still very well balanced. Nashi pear and clementine notes appear toward the elegant, almost understated finish. Top-class. Just 5,000 bottles.In Bond£137.00 -
Vinous (92)
The 2018 Grenache includes 60% whole bunches and comes from two main sites, on iron and granite soils. It has a lovely, very pure bouquet of red cherries, crushed strawberry, pressed flowers and wild hedgerow, all extremely natural and well defined. The palate is fresh on the entry, offering plenty of crunchy fruit and oddly reminiscent of an artisan Beaujolais. The light but energetic, tensile finish has just enough dryness to encourage another sip. Very fine.In Bond£214.00