David & Nadia Release

Every David & Nadia release is eagerly anticipated, but the 2025 Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc collection feels particularly special.

This was my first opportunity to meet David Sadie, and more importantly, my first time tasting the four single-vineyard Chenin Blancs side by side. Experiencing them in a comparative line-up immediately highlighted just how distinctive each site is, and how different the wines really are.

Each wine comes from a tiny parcel of old bush vines scattered across the Swartland, with some vineyards yielding as little as 500 litres in an entire vintage. Rather than blending these remarkable sites together, David & Nadia bottle each vineyard individually, allowing every site to express its own identity.

I don’t think enough emphasis is placed on just how scarce these wines are.

Once an allocation sells out, there is rarely another opportunity to buy them. In fact, several of these wines are produced in smaller quantities than many Grand Cru Burgundies.

If South Africa had a Grand Cru classification, I believe these vineyards would unquestionably be part of the conversation. They are producing Chenin Blancs of genuine world-class calibre while continually redefining what the Swartland is capable of.

Hoë-Steen 2025 · scored 4.5

From a tiny south-facing vineyard planted in 1968, Hoë-Steen was produced from an exceptionally small harvest, with only around 700 bottles made. Naturally fermented and hand sorted, it is a concentrated, layered and immensely complex wine.

Langland 2025 · scored 4.5

Sourced from a single vineyard planted in 1971, Langland is the fresher, more linear expression of the range. It is defined by purity, vibrant natural acidity and precision, favouring elegance over richness, however it remains beautifully expressive.

Skaliekop 2025 · scored 4.7

From the granite soils of the Paardeberg, Skaliekop is one of the most compelling wines in the collection. It offers extraordinary aromatic lift together with an exceptional balance between richness, freshness and texture, resulting in a wine of remarkable energy and complexity.

Plat’bos 2025 · scored 4.8

The standout of the tasting. Produced from a 3.6-hectare Paardeberg vineyard planted in 1981, Plat’bos is shaped by exceptionally narrow harvest windows that demand intuitive viticulture and meticulous winemaking. The result is a remarkably focused and precise wine, combining impressive concentration with crystalline acidity and world-class structure.

Chenin Blanc 2025 · scored 4.2

Produced from nine old-vine Chenin Blanc vineyards across the Swartland, this is the broader expression of David & Nadia’s philosophy. Fresh, vibrant and beautifully balanced, it combines subtle oak influence with impressive complexity. Decanting and serving slightly warmer allows the wine to show its full potential.

Aristargos 2025 · scored 4.9

A near-perfect wine and possibly the finest Aristargos released to date. It now sits comfortably alongside South Africa’s greatest white blends, offering extraordinary concentration, precision and balance while remaining remarkably restrained.

Grenache Noir 2025 · scored 4.6

Another exceptional release for the wine that continues to define the Grenache category. Silky, beautifully refined and very expressive, it surpasses the excellent 2024 vintage and feels like a benchmark for the wine moving forward.

Elpidios 2025 · scored 4.8

One of the biggest surprises of the tasting. Powerful yet poised, Elpidios delivers impressive depth, balance and elegance, standing comfortably alongside many of the Swartland’s finest red blends.

Swartland wines have become significantly more expensive over the past decade, but so has their quality. With tiny production volumes and ever-increasing standards, perhaps these wines aren’t becoming overpriced. They’re finally being valued for what they truly are.