Additional information
Producer | |
---|---|
Grape Variety | Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Palomino, Roussanne, Semillon, Verdelho, Viognier |
Region | |
Country | |
Vintage | |
Size |
$290.00
“The 2022 Palladius is a blend of Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Sémillon Blanc & Gris, Palomino, Verdelho, Colombard, Clairette Blanche and Viognier from several sites. Eben Sadie says that this is the wine he has wanted to make. It has a delectable nose with wax resin, linseed oil and hints of orange blossom. The palate is well balanced with a killer line of acidity. Taut, fresh and saline, it possesses immense nervosité on the finish that lingers in the mouth. This is even better than the 2021.” 97 points, Neal Martin, Vinous
Palladius is a blend of all 11 of Swartland’s official white varieties, with old bush-vine Chenin Blanc playing the principal role. Like the Columella red, the idea is to produce a great white that represents the overall terroir of Swartland, so Sadie tries to use all permitted grapes. As a result, it is harvested from 17 sites, taking in Grenache Blanc, Clairette Blanche, Viognier, Verdelho, Roussanne, Marsanne, Semillon Blanc, Palomino and Colombard, as well as the hyper-rare Semillon Gris (which plays a starring role in Sadie’s Kokerboom and ’T Voetpad cuvées). Scattered throughout Swartland, most of the vineyards are rooted in decomposed Paardeberg granite (although four parcels lie on sandstone), and most qualify for old-vine status (35 years plus), with the oldest planted in 1935. The younger-vine fruit comes from Sadie’s own plantings, though even here, the yields max out at 30 hl/ha.
The fruit was sorted and pressed in a traditional, vertical press directly into clay amphora and concrete egg (725 litres). The wine went to large wooden foudre for maturation. The entire aging cycle is 24 months. It was bottled without fining or filtration.
Throughout the season, Sadie’s primary goal is, in his own words, “to try and get the maximum volume of compact fruit and texture together with the best potential volume of acidity and freshness.” He has unquestionably achieved that here, with the extra breadth, power and texture setting Palladius apart from his District Series whites. Palladius relies less on acidity than those, harnessing a deep, phenolic freshness that frames the wine. Eben continues: “Over the past five years, Palladius has been the wine that gained the most in quality and refinement, and much of this has to do with the addition of more vineyards and the improvement of their viticulture.” It’s a white of vast complexity; the kind you can sit with for hours.
Out of Stock
Intense and full of character with notes of white flowers, stone fruits, citrus, spice, cherry and blackcurrant. Intense and full of presence, but with a lightness of touch. The spice is more elevated on the palate (clove) and although off-dry, feels drier for all that. Scintillating and mineral as you so often find with Falkenstein, […]
Read more Producer: Hofgut FalkensteinChenin Blanc (64%), Verdelho (32%) and Viognier (4%) all fermented naturally and matured separately in French oak, and in this vintage around 20% of the Chenin also in concrete before blending and bottling.Green and yellow citrus fruit, herbs and even some spice on the palate. Great natural acidity and a very low pH will also […]
Add to cart Producer: Donovan RallHereafter Here is a young vineyard wine. The great thing about planting young vines is that you can choose the site and the material purely for the sake of quality wine. Some of our favourite growers have already planted new vines, as will we on our own farm in the coming years. I find the […]
Add to cart Producer: Alheit VineyardsGrapes for the Kloof Street Chenin Blanc come from vineyard parcels on a variety of soils in different parts of the Swartland. The wine is part tank and part barrel fermented. Pale straw in colour, this wine has a nose of sun ripened pears and wet granite. The palate has a vibrant acidity balanced by […]
Add to cart Producer: Mullineux