Provenance

Wine Cellar Private Client

Critics Ratings

2008:
'Pioneer & still benchmark in increasingly populous white blends category. 08 our White Wine of the Yr, & a blending masterclass: 8 varieties (inc palomino, clairette) melded into intricate textured sensation, rich stone fruit tingling with minerality. Stunning successor to 07. 70% older oak, rest concrete ‘eggs’.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2010, 5*

'A blend of several white varities, 30% fermented in concrete eggs, 70% in old 500 litre barrels. Deep yellow colour. Lovely fresh, intense nutty and lemony notes with some herbiness. Quite complex. A beautiful white wine with lovely freshness, intensity and complexity.’ - Jamie Goode, Wineanorak.com, 94/100

2009:
‘Rich, appley. Good fruit on the mid palate. Exciting, dense and long. Toasted nuts and apples on the finish. No oak any more from 2009. Intense and introvert. Like lemon cough sweets but still too young. Smoked meats and spicy. Very angular.’ - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 18/20 (Apr 2014)

‘A Cape benchmark, 2009 Chenin-led blend of 6 varieties, unfurls fleshy white stonefruit and glacé pineapple. Packed with impressive minerality, underpinned by harmonious acidity, subtle oaking. 18 months on lees in 600 and 1800L vats.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2011, 5*

‘Fermented in a combination of 500-liter barrels, foudres and cement, the 2009 Palladius is a blend of (deep breath) old Chenin Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Verdelho, Clairette and Palomino aged for two years in barrel. It has a crystalline bouquet with scents of dried honey, beeswax, hazelnut, broom and a faint touch of pinecone. The palate is very well balanced with good acidity and precision; notes of walnut, honeysuckle, orange zest and a little spice. It displays impressive persistence in the mouth and you find yourself contemplating this wine long after you have swallowed it, each sip slightly different to the last. Sublime.’ - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 94/100 (Aug 2011)

2010:
'Bold, broad and creamy, featuring ginger, warm brioche, persimmon and creamed peach flavors, with toasted hazelnut notes embedded in the core and lingering through the finish. Exhibits noteworthy balance and definition. Drink now through 2015. 750 cases made.' – James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 93/100 (2013)

'The 2010 Palladius is a blend of (takes a deep breath) Chenin, Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne, Clairette, Semillon Blanc, Semillon Gris, Palomino and Verdelho. This choir of white varieties is aged for 24 months in a combination of old wooden casks, concrete eggs and amphora. It has a very fine bouquet with light pressed flowers, a touch of hazelnut and hints of orange blossom. The palate is where it all happening with crisp acidity, a vivacious white with crisp apricot, orange peel and passion fruit. It is tightly coiled towards the finish, focusing upon precision rather than power. This is a wine that demands respect. Drink now-2019+.' – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 93/100 (2012)

'Not particularly aromatic, though the sample is very cold. Fine, restrained oak overlay. So classy. There's grapefruit and lemon and it verges towards lime. Beautifully clear cut and fresh, the oak in a purely supportive role but adding a mealy facet to the texture. Very very young but already so delicious.' – Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, 18/20 (Oct 2012)

2011:
‘Pale gold. Blend of 10 different grape varieties! Sweet start and then some Chenin tension. Lots of youthful fruit to get your teeth into here even though the wine is four years old. Some reductive smokiness. Good and racy. Very complex and lifted blend of flowers and herbs – very quintessential Cape. Super-tangy with some bitterness. Probably not yet at its peak.’ - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17/20 (Sept 2015)

'Unfined and unfiltered, 24 months on lees, half in older barrels. Chenin Blanc-led 9-part blend, mainly Rhône whites, 2011 is complex. A symphony of notes, major and minor, ending satisfyingly long. Take your time, it’s worth it.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2014, 5*

‘Engaging, with green plum and green almond notes up front,quickly followed by enticing pear, meringue and makrut lime flavors. Picks up a light toasty shortbread accent through the finish, giving this a flattering edge. Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Clairette Blanc, Viognier, Chardonnay, Roussanne, Sémillon and Palomino.’ - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 93/100 (Jun 2014)

2012:
‘Astonishingly layered, complex and harmonious 2012 blends 8 varieties, led by Chenin and Roussanne, skilfully matured for 2 years on lees in concrete ‘eggs’, older casks and barrels. Intense flavours, lemon, herbs, even some florality and white pepper spice, all sewn together by pithy mineral thread.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2015, 5*

‘Intense, with ripe, lush layers of creamed Jonagold apple, Cavaillon melon and glazed peach fruit, enlivened by dried chamomile, quinine and bitter citrus oil notes. The long finish flows beautifully, with the fruit and floral elements draped over a well-embedded mineral edge. This has depth and energy, and should cellar well. Drink now through 2022. 750 cases made.’ - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 94/100 (Feb 2015)

‘Made with ten grapes from 13 parcels, this Chenin-meets-the-Rhône-Valley white is mostly grown on granite soils. Honey, pear skin and subtle oak flavours are complemented by some skin tannins, leesy texture and a long, refreshing finish. The move away from Viognier (now down to 3%) from a high of 30%)) has benefited the blend. Drink: 2014-22.’ - Tim Atkin SA Special Report 2014, 95/100

2013:
'Gains heft from loads of quince, nectarine, pear and ginger flavors, but the spine shows excellent minerality, with a long, stony feel through the finish. Hints of quinine, verbena and chamomile add even more range. A pristine display. Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Clairette Blanche, Viognier, Verdelho, Roussanne, Sémillon Gris, Sémillon and Palomino. Drink now through 2022. 583 cases made.’ – James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 94/100 (2016)

'Honeyed, creamy nose that gives the impression of satin-smooth texture somehow. A totally flattering and intriguing wine that is clean as a whistle and would stand up to any fine white wine.' – Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 18.5/20 (Sep 2015)

'30% Chenin Blanc plus nine other varieties in almost equal parts; done mostly in concrete and clay amphoras, with 10% made in big wooden demi-muids: Bright, light yellow. Outstanding aromatic purity and nuance to the pungent aromas of orange blossom, minerals, clove and mint. Highly concentrated yellow fruit flavors are perfectly framed and carried by harmonious ripe acidity. This wonderfully silky white blend really expands to fill the mouth, without any loss of precision. Finishes with great rising length. Sadie whole-bunch-presses this wine on a four-hour cycle, noting that it has more tannins than all of his reds with the exception of Columella. But the wine's phenolic character is well-supported by sheer stuffing and extract.’ – Stephen Tanzer, Vinous.com, 95/100 (Apr 2015)