Palladius, The Sadie Family Wines 2019

Fresh, delicate and floral nose, with a touch of sea air and ground ginger. Medium-bodied and silky palate; there's weight and presence but no heaviness. Crystalline finish, with just a touch of ripe fruit sweetness to match the salinity. Perfect balance and so long; more Burgundian than previous vintages somehow despite the lack of oak. Amazing freshness, focus and energy. This is an outstanding wine. Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Viognier, Verdelho, Roussanne, Marsanne, Semillon Gris, Semillon, Palomino and Colombard grown on granite, chalk and sandstone. Grapes were pressed in a basket press, with juice run off into 725L concrete eggs and 400L to 1,200L clay amphora for 12 months. A further 12 months in big old oak foudres after that. Spontaneous fermentation, no additives, no fining or filtration.

Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Clairette Blanche, Viognier, Verdelho, Roussanne, Marsanne, Sémillon Gris, Sémillon Blanc and Palomino mix and Colombard from Paardeberg (14 vineyards), Piketberg (1 vineyard), St Helena Bay (2 vineyards). Yield 25 hl/ha. Aged for 12 months in amphora and concrete, then 12 months in old foudres.
So tangy and gorgeous. Toast and lime on the nose with a honeyed undertow. This is just beautiful! Admirably persistent.

Delivering aromas of lemon oil, raw honeycomb, wax melon and underripe peach skin, the 2019 Palladius is gorgeous on the nose, with a delightful floral lift and dusty nuance. Medium-bodied on the palate, the wine offers notions of dusty honeysuckle, underripe peach skin and citrus blossom along with lovely mineral tension and a kiss of phenolic bitterness. This will remain food-friendly until its 20th birthday. Every time I try these wines, they never seem to fail to deliver pleasure. Absolutely stunning!