David & Nadia Aristargos 2018

By , 5 August 2019

David and Nadia Sadie.

The David & Nadia range sees David and Nadia Sadie working with vineyards across the Swartland in order to best express the district. Tasting notes and ratings for the new releases as follows:

David & Nadia Aristargos 2018
53% Chenin Blanc, 13% Clairette Blanche, 13% Semillon, 10% Roussanne, 9% Viognier and 2% Marsanne – six varieties, 14 vineyards and 20 pickings. An exotic nose showing top notes of flowers and dried grass before peach, apricot, melon and pineapple. The palate has lovely fruit expression, zippy acidity and a savoury finish. Intricate and balanced, this moves really well – great entry and side-palate before a long finish. Total production: 8 500 bottles.

Editor’s rating: 96/100.

David & Nadia Chenin Blanc 2018
From seven vineyards, date of planting ranging from 1962 to 1982 on various soils but predominantly granite. Pear and peach plus a little earthiness on the nose. The palate is dense and textured – a great core of fruit, punchy acidity and a grippy finish. Total production: 5 080 bottles.

Editor’s rating: 93/100.

David & Nadia Grenache 2018
One Paardeberg vineyard planted in the early 2000s provides the majority of fruit although similarly aged, organically farmed vineyards north of Malmesbury are also used. 60% whole-bunch fermentation before maturation lasting 12 months in old 500-litre barrels. An enchanting nose showing rose, wild strawberry and spice. The palate has lovely purity of fruit, fresh acidity and very fine tannins. The wine has a sucrosity about it (although no doubt technically dry) and is basically dead sexy. Total production: 7 000 bottles.

Editor’s rating: 92/100.

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David & Nadia Elpidios 2017
First vintage of this blend to be Grenache led, the blend consisting of 31% of this variety plus 20% Syrah, 19% Carignan, 10% Cinsault and 10% Pinotage. 50% on average fermented on the stems before maturation lasting 12 months in foudre and old 500-litre barrels. The nose is brooding with notes of dried herbs, olive, liqourice and earth to go with red and black fruit while the palate is relatively lean, fresh and very savoury with firm yet fine tannins. Total production: 7 000 bottles.

Editor’s rating: 91/100.

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The Topography range are wines made from vineyards on Paardebosch, farmed by the Sadies, some of the fruit going into Aristargos and Elpidios respectively, the rest kept separate so as not to dominate these two blends.

Topography Semillon 2018

From two vineyards on Paardebosch farm, one planted in 1960 and the other in 1972. Winemaking involves one week of skin contact, maturation in foudre lasting 12 months. Top notes of hay and potpourri before pear, peach and citrus. The palate is super-concentrated with nicely coated acidity and a saline finish. A particular wine which manages to be quite forceful despite an alcohol of just 12.5%. Total production: 1 984 bottles.

Editor’s rating: 94/100.

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Topography Pinotage 2018

From unirrigated bush vines planted in the early 1990s. 20% whole-bunch fermentation before maturation in foudre. Initially some quite pronounced reduction on the nose before cherries and plums. The palate meanwhile is lean and fresh with finish that is savoury to the point of bitter. A striking wine but this lacks the prettiness of earlier vintages. Total production: 5 800 bottles.

Editor’s rating: 90/100.

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