David & Nadia Grenache 2021

David & Nadia Grenache 2021

 

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David & Nadia
Grenache 2021
  • Vintage : 2021
  • Country : South Africa
  • Region : Swartland
  • Subregion :
  • Type : Red
  • Style : Deep Full Bodied
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 13,5°
  • Grappes : 100% Grenache

With its restrained alcohol and minimal intervention philosophy, David & Nadia Grenache reflects the modern face of South African Grenache, crafted with precision and care.

Experts Score Vintage
VN Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 94 2021
JS James Suckling 94 2021
W&S Wines & Spirits 92 2021
TA Tim Atkin 95 2017
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

The Swartland region, located north of Cape Town, is renowned for its dry climate, rugged terrain, and exceptional old-vine vineyards. David & Nadia’s focus on dry-farmed bush vines and organic farming brings forth the region’s true essence while showcasing the unique characteristics of Grenache noir.

This wine is crafted from five vineyard sites, each contributing to its complexity:

  • Paardeberg vineyards: Granitic soils planted in the early 2000s provide freshness and aromatic finesse, while newer vineyards on Langkloof’s slopes add minerality.
  • Kasteelberg vineyard: Situated on schist soils, this vineyard, planted in 2016, offers structure and depth.
  • Northern Malmesbury: A longstanding vineyard, worked with since 2012, contributes ripe fruit and richness to the final blend.

The diversity of soils – granite and schist – combined with Swartland’s dry-farmed conditions produces Grenache grapes of concentration and elegance, ensuring a wine that balances power with purity.

Winemaking

David & Nadia adopt a minimal intervention philosophy to preserve the integrity of the fruit and the expression of terroir:

  • The grapes are hand-harvested with twelve separate pickings to ensure optimal ripeness and balance.
  • 60% whole-bunch fermentation brings aromatic lift and refined tannins, with the juice spending four weeks on skins during and after fermentation for gentle extraction.
  • The wine is aged for 12 months, split between old 500L French oak barrels and a 2,700L concrete vessel. The concrete (60% of the blend) enhances purity and texture, while oak maturation provides subtle depth and integration.

This careful process ensures the wine reflects its vineyard origins while maintaining vibrancy and finesse.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Pale ruby red with brilliant clarity.
  • Aroma: Delicate and perfumed, with notes of raspberry, red cherry, and cranberry, accented by subtle floral hints of violet and fresh herbal undertones.
  • Palate: Light-bodied yet textured, showcasing vibrant red fruit with fine, polished tannins. The fresh acidity brings energy, while subtle earthy and mineral layers lead to an elegant, lingering finish.

Did You Know?

David & Nadia are part of the Swartland Independent Producers, a collective of winemakers dedicated to producing natural, terroir-driven wines that showcase the region’s diversity and richness. Their focus on old bush vines and minimal extraction highlights the authenticity and finesse of Swartland Grenache.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Grilled lamb chops with rosemary: The vibrant red fruit and acidity balance the herbaceous and savory flavors of the lamb.
  • Roasted chicken with thyme and garlic: The freshness and light tannic structure complement the tender texture and herbs.
  • Mushroom risotto: The wine’s earthy and mineral tones enhance the rich, umami flavors of the risotto.
  • Charcuterie board with Manchego cheese: The acidity and red fruit balance the richness and saltiness of the cheese and cured meats.

History of David & Nadia

David Sadie grew up in the Swartland and studied viticulture and oenology at Stellenbosch University. After gaining experience in both South Africa and abroad, he developed a winemaking style focused on purity, precision, and site expression. Nadia Sadie, a trained soil scientist and viticulturist, complements the project with her deep understanding of Swartland’s complex geology. Together, they launched the David & Nadia label in 2013, with their first wine—a Grenache Noir—sourced from a single dryland bush vine vineyard in Paardeberg.

Early on, the couple did not own vineyards. Instead, they built lasting relationships with growers across Swartland, carefully selecting plots of old bush vines that aligned with their ethos of sustainable farming and minimal intervention. In 2014, they began producing Chenin Blanc, which would become the backbone of their range. Over the years, the project expanded to include a portfolio of both single-vineyard wines and blends, and David eventually stepped away from his role at another winery to focus solely on their brand.

They joined the Swartland Independent Producers (SIP) movement and are vocal advocates for dry-farming, low-yielding bush vines, and natural viticulture. Their philosophy rests on the idea that wine is made in the vineyard: “We don’t chase varietal expression,” David says. “We want the site to speak.”

Region and Vineyards

Swartland has become one of South Africa’s most exciting wine regions, known for its granite, shale, and iron-rich soils, Mediterranean climate, and wealth of heritage bush vines, especially Chenin Blanc. David & Nadia work exclusively with dry-farmed bush vines, many of which are 35 to 55 years old, across a selection of 13 to 15 parcels primarily in the Paardeberg, Kasteelberg, and Malmesbury areas.

The terroir diversity of Swartland plays a key role in their wines. Granitic soils from the Paardeberg contribute elegance, freshness, and salinity to their whites. Shale-rich sites on Kasteelberg add texture, while iron-oxide-rich soils around Malmesbury bring power and structure to the reds.

All their vineyards are either certified organic, in conversion, or managed sustainably, with cover crops and minimal chemical use. They champion low yields, averaging 3 to 4 tonnes per hectare, to enhance concentration and expression. David & Nadia’s work has also helped revive and preserve old vine parcels that might otherwise have been lost.

Wine Range of David & Nadia

The David & Nadia portfolio is built on two foundational categories: the main range and the single-vineyard wines, with both tiers united by a philosophy of restraint, finesse, and age-worthiness.

Their core range includes:

  • David & Nadia Chenin Blanc – A multi-site blend from eight old vineyards, showcasing Swartland’s Chenin Blanc in its most balanced form.
  • Grenache Noir – One of the most refined Grenaches in South Africa, made with whole-bunch fermentation and aged in old oak for minimal extraction.
  • Elpidios – A Rhône-style red blend (Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Carignan, and Pinotage), offering fragrance, structure, and aging potential.

Their Single Vineyard Series focuses on terroir transparency and includes:

  • Hoë-Steen Chenin Blanc – From a 1968-planted vineyard in Paardeberg; textured, saline, and tightly wound, often rated among the top white wines in South Africa.
  • Skaliekop – From shale soils in Kasteelberg, noted for its richness and tension.
  • Plat’Bos, Siebritskloof, and Witberg – Each representing different soil types and altitudes, giving a spectrum of Swartland Chenin expression.

All wines are made using spontaneous fermentation, gentle pressing, minimal sulphur, and no fining or filtration. Fermentation is typically done in old barrels or foudre to preserve site character, with aging often lasting 11 to 12 months.

Their style is best described as Burgundian in philosophy but Swartland in soul—nuanced, textural, and driven by minerality rather than ripeness.

Did you know?

David & Nadia’s Hoë-Steen vineyard is a member of the Old Vine Project, South Africa’s initiative to protect vines older than 35 years. With roots dating back to 1968, it is among the oldest Chenin Blanc vineyards still in production in the Cape.

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) (VN) : 94 Points (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.

James Suckling (JS) : 94 Points (2021)
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.

Wines & Spirits (W&S) : 92 Points (2021)
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.

Tim Atkin (TA) : 95 Points (2017)
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.

David & Nadia Aristargos 2022
David & Nadia Aristargos 2022
David & Nadia
Aristargos 2022
RP
95
David & Nadia Aristargos is a masterful blend that encapsulates the diverse terroirs of Swartland, delivering a wine of exceptional elegance and complexity.
43,50 €
Quantity : moins plus
David & Nadia Chenin Blanc 2022
David & Nadia Chenin Blanc 2022
David & Nadia
Chenin Blanc 2022
RP
92
JS
93
David & Nadia Chenin Blanc is a quintessential Swartland wine, blending the unique characteristics of various old vine vineyards into a harmonious and expressive Chenin Blanc.
39,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
David & Nadia Elpidios Red 2021
David & Nadia Elpidios Red 2021
David & Nadia
Elpidios Red 2021
RP
96
Discover the harmonious complexity of the David & Nadia Elpidios Red, a wine that epitomizes the innovative spirit and diverse terroirs of Swartland.
39,50 €
Quantity : moins plus
David & Nadia Skaliekop Chenin Blanc 2021
David & Nadia Skaliekop Chenin Blanc 2021
David & Nadia
Skaliekop Chenin Blanc 2021
JS
93
RP
94
DCT
94
The David & Nadia Skaliekop Chenin Blanc is a masterful expression of Swartland terroir, showcasing the elegance and complexity of old vine Chenin Blanc.
95,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
David & Nadia Rondevlei Chenin Blanc 2022
David & Nadia Rondevlei Chenin Blanc 2022
David & Nadia
Rondevlei Chenin Blanc 2022
RP
92
From the sun-drenched plains of Swartland, the 2022 Rondevlei Chenin Blanc is a site-specific expression of old vines and minimalist winemaking.
99,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
David & Nadia Hoe-Steen Chenin Blanc 2022
David & Nadia Hoe-Steen Chenin Blanc 2022
David & Nadia
Hoe-Steen Chenin Blanc 2022
VN
93
This Chenin Blanc, sourced from a historic vineyard planted in 1968, reflects the unique terroir of deep iron- and clay-rich soils, combining freshness, minerality, and textural finesse.
99,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
David & Nadia Plat
David & Nadia Plat'bos Chenin Blanc 2021
David & Nadia
Plat'bos Chenin Blanc 2021
RP
93
A pure, mineral-driven white wine from Swartland’s granitic soils, the 2021 Plat'bos Chenin Blanc reflects the philosophy of terroir-focused, low-intervention winemaking.
95,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
David & Nadia Skaliekop Chenin Blanc 2019
David & Nadia Skaliekop Chenin Blanc 2019
David & Nadia
Skaliekop Chenin Blanc 2019
RP
93
David & Nadia Skaliekop Chenin Blanc is a refined and pure expression of Chenin Blanc, sourced from an exceptional vineyard with shallow shale soils in the Paardeberg region.
85,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
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