David & Nadia Elpidios Red 2020

The 2018 Elpidios is a blend of 39% Grenache, 31% Syrah, 12% Carignan, 12% Cinsault and 12% Pinotage. Dark berry fruit on the nose commingles with Earl Grey and light briny aromas, all very well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle grip on the entry and good acidity; quite rigid tannins suggest that this will need 12–18 months in bottle. Very saline toward the finish. Strangely, it is the Carignan that I feel the most despite its representing only a small percentage of the blend. It should be fascinating to watch this age.

From a majority Syrah to a majority Carignan, and now to a majority Grenache with the 2017. Sweet, floral red fruit aromas are joined by fresh, delicious, pure summer fruit flavours and a subtle creamy undertow. It's textured, with a slight hint of woody dryness on the finish. An elegant wine, with clean acidity, but is arguably a touch more one-dimensional than previous years - perhaps it just needs some time.

A blend of Carignan, Syrah, Cinsault, Pinotage and Grenache, the nose of the 2016 Elpidios is a solid expression of Rhône varietals in South Africa. Dried and candied red fruits on the nose express something more akin to a young Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The palate is precise, focused and spicy, with soft, dusty red fruit, dried herbs and soft, red spice tones. The finish lingers with precise red-fruit tones and oak. Medium to full-bodied, the wine is both elegant and enjoyable, ending with a long finish. There is a clear focus on precision and elegance here, showing a beautifully balanced and structured wine. Just under 8000 bottles were filled.

30% Syrah, 28% Carignan, 17% Cinsaut, 14% Grenache, 11% Pinotage, on granite and schist. Aged in old oak for 22 months. Pale to mid ruby. This really does smell like the cocktail promised on the back label. Very complex and composed. Still quite a bit of structure - a firm line through all that fruit - but the tannins seem well in balance with all that opulent yet reined-in-by-terroir fruit. Spice and masses of depth. Such a light touch! Long, toasty on the finish, and rich - but with great energy too. Well done! Really very smart indeed, but beautifully original and definitively Swartland. 17/20 points. (JR) 30% Syrah, 28% Carignan, 17% Grenache, 14% Cinsaut, 11% Pinotage. Awesome fruit clarity - modern, sensitive, crisp, delightful. So subtle and light-hearted. Effortless and fragrant. 17/20 points. (RH) (8/2016)