David & Nadia
Skaliekop Chenin Blanc 2018
Cape Heritage
About the SessionA selection of South Africa’s finest wines, inspired by our rich wine heritage and the unique character of the Cape Winelands. Chenin Blanc is celebrated for its remarkable versatility, producing an exceptional range of wine styles, particularly in South Africa, home to the oldest Chenin Blanc vines in the world. These historic vineyards continue to produce wines of great diversity, elegance, and ageing potential. The Pinotage selection showcases leading producers, all of whom have become consistent flag bearers for this proudly South African variety.
About this Item
The 2018 vintage was defined by drought across the Swartland, one of the most severe growing seasons in living memory, yet the shallow shale Skaliekop block responded with a wine of steely, ferrous concentration and exquisite mineral precision; David & Nadia's 2018 Skaliekop earned 95 points from Tim Atkin MW, 5 stars and 95 points from Platter's South African Wine Guide, and 93 points from Anthony Mueller at The Wine Advocate.
Provenance
Private Client
Critics Ratings
'Skaliekop comes from comparatively rare shale soils on the Paardeberg and is more "lateral rather than linear" in structure, according to David Sadie, with considerable texture and breadth. Picked earlier because of its mid-slope position, it has aniseed and beeswax aromas, very little oak and wild herb top notes. 2021-26' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2019, 95/100
'Broader nose than the Plat'bos. 'Shale Chenins show a lot of richness', says David. There's not as much tension as the Plat'bos - almost rich. Long and opulent. A little kick of tannin on the end. Impressive undertow.' - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17/20 (Jul 2019)
'Pale gold in color, the 2018 Skaliekop Chenin Blanc is immediately impressive with aromas of dusty lemon peel, marzipan, dusty citrus blossom and white tea in the glass. Medium-bodied, the wine bursts with energetic acidity and mineral tension, showing amazing complexity and depth, with an electric and broad mouthfeel, a soft, waxy essence and elements of roasted almonds and grilled endive. The wine continues to evolve over the long, winding finish that will continue to bring pleasure to its drinkers for the next 15 years. This is an absolutely stunning bottle from David & Nadia. Bravo!' - Anthony Mueller, Wine Advocate, 93/100 (Feb 2021)
'From shale ('skalie') site planted 1985; as range siblings, bunch pressing, minimal intervention, older 300L oak. Individual, wild 'dissident' profile in steely, mineral 2018, with khaki bush & scrub features. A tense, ferrous character & exquisite saline conclusion, as in 2017.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2020, 5* (95 pts)
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