David & Nadia Grenache 2021

The 2021 Grenache Noir comes from five vineyards with younger vines than the Chenin, mainly planted in the early 2000s that oblige two green harvests. Sixty percent is fermented and matured in concrete and using 60% whole bunch. The bouquet is very well defined and transparent; red cherries intermingle with raspberry and slate-like scents. The palate is well-balanced with fine tannins and superb acidity. Fine, bitter cherry notes towards the finish fan out wonderfull; this is a top-notch Grenache.

A lovely nose of sliced strawberries, grated nutmeg, rose petal and baked raspberries. Medium-bodied with silky tannins. Fresh with lovely berry character. Sturdy and bright. Herbal and floral complexity with a long, textural finish.

A once-daily punch down limited extraction in this wine and produced a beautifully light grenache, the herbal cherry flavors filling out its open, welcoming frame. It shows some earthy detail through the middle, but remains sweetly soft and invitingly easy.

On of a handful of Grenaches that are finally establishing the variety’s claim to greatness in the Cape, this comes from the Paardeberg and Malmesbury. Pale and graceful, with restrained alcohol, some whole bunch spice and fine-grained tannins. Brilliant winemaking.