Christian Eedes (96)

Grapes from a 1984 vineyard on iron-rich gravel situated in one of the more arid parts of the Swartland. 40% matured in concrete egg. A hint of reduction precedes dried herbs, white peach, citrus and melon while the palate has great purity, bright acidity and a pithy finish. Not without weight and texture despite an alcohol of just 12.5%.

Tim Atkin MW (96)

Skaliekop is a shallow shale site on the Paardebosch farm that benefited from the addition of moisture-retaining mulch in 2019. Yeasty, leesy and broader than the other two single vineyard Sadie Chenins, this has notes of citrus peel and beeswax, plenty of weight and a stony finish. 2021-29

Christian Eedes (96)

This vineyard, on decomposed granite, is adjacent to Skaliekop but is slightly older having been in planted in 1981. Bewitching aromatics of flowers and herbs before pear, peach and citrus while the palate shows great focus and tension, electric acidity playing off against perfectly delineated fruit, the finish long and dry.

Vinous (92)

The 2018 Chenin Blanc comes from seven vineyards, the vines planted between 1962 and 1982 (and therefore eligible for the “Old Vine Project”). It has a lovely bouquet of apricot blossom, white peach, pine nuts and orange pith, the latter becoming more pronounced with aeration. The palate is well balanced with a smooth, rounded texture. This is a slightly richer Chenin Blanc from Sadie, yet still very well balanced. Nashi pear and clementine notes appear toward the elegant, almost understated finish. Top-class. Just 5,000 bottles.

Tim Atkin MW (94)

This is "just" the basic Chenin Blanc from David and Nadia Sadie, but it's better than most wineries' single vineyard releases. Made with fruit from seven sites, all of them old vines, it's a focused, linear, Paardeberg-dominated style with mealy, citrus flavours, some lanolin and piercing freshness. 2021-27

Tim Atkin MW (94)

This is "just" the basic Chenin Blanc from David and Nadia Sadie, but it's better than many people's top wine. Made with fruit from seven vineyards, four of them on decomposed granite, this is a classy, understated white with negligible oak, layered citrus and beeswax flavours, a hint of aniseed and stony grip. 2022-28

Vinous (92)

The 2018 Grenache includes 60% whole bunches and comes from two main sites, on iron and granite soils. It has a lovely, very pure bouquet of red cherries, crushed strawberry, pressed flowers and wild hedgerow, all extremely natural and well defined. The palate is fresh on the entry, offering plenty of crunchy fruit and oddly reminiscent of an artisan Beaujolais. The light but energetic, tensile finish has just enough dryness to encourage another sip. Very fine.

Jancis Robinson (17)

Very pale ruby indeed – an extremely distinctive pallor. Delicately sweet, fruity nose that would not be out of place in, say, Auxey-Duresses. Then a hint of gaminess and some light graininess that I associate with concrete. Wonderfully ethereal delicacy that positively dances on the palate. This seems absolutely ready now but has substance and persistence so should be no fly-by-night. Extremely playful, but be careful not to serve it with food that's too powerful. Not our merguez sausages planned for tonight, methinks. This would respond well to light chilling and shellfish or chicken.

Tim Atkin MW (93)

First made in 2011, the Sadies' Grenache combines fruit from granite, iron and schist soils. It's a refined, racy, low pH style, with notes of red cherry, cranberry and wild herbs, savoury tannins and fresh, mineral finish. 2023-28

Vinous (94)

The 2021 Grenache Noir comes from five vineyards with younger vines than the Chenin, mainly planted in the early 2000s that oblige two green harvests. Sixty percent is fermented and matured in concrete and using 60% whole bunch. The bouquet is very well defined and transparent; red cherries intermingle with raspberry and slate-like scents. The palate is well-balanced with fine tannins and superb acidity. Fine, bitter cherry notes towards the finish fan out wonderfull; this is a top-notch Grenache.

A harmonious symphony of opulence and finesse, the David Duband Chambolle Musigny 2019 is the culmination of meticulous craftsmanship from renowned French winemaker, David Duband. Exquisitely hailing from his estate in the heart of Burgundy's Chambolle-Musigny village, this wine is a testament to sustained tradition and dedicated viticulture. Each grape was handpicked from this famed appellation before undergoing rigorous selection and gentle destemming, a technique employed by only the most discerning of vignerons.

The wine exudes a pristine ruby hue and reveals an exquisite bouquet of wild berries and violets, underpinned with a subtle hint of oak. On the palate, its opulence is eloquently balanced with a fine line of acidity, unveiling a depth of intricate texture and jubilant fruit flavours. The David Duband Chambolle Musigny 2019 offers a testament to the mastery of its eponymous creator, expertly capturing the quintessence of its prestigious terroir.

David Duband Gevrey-Chambertin 2019 is an elegant offering from an acclaimed Burgundy producer. Based in the heart of the Côte d'Or, Duband's profound understanding of terroir is evident in this Pinot Noir's remarkable complexity. Harvested from 60-year-old vines, this vintage exudes cherry and blackberry aromas woven with delicate earthy undertones.

Significant to this expression is the philosophy of natural winemaking, with minimal intervention allowing the grapes' true character to shine. As a result, the David Duband Gevrey-Chambertin 2019 boasts excellent vintage typicity. Subtle oak nuances supplement the fruit-forward palate, while stylish tannins underpin the refined structure.

Vinified using indigenous yeasts and aged for 14 months in French oak, this wine exhibits both finesse and balance. Often enjoyed at the peak of its maturity, David Duband Gevrey-Chambertin 2019 will continue to evolve gracefully in the bottle, further enhancing its attractive profile.

Immerse in the splendour of the 'David Duband Vosne Romanee 2019', a truly majestic red Burgundy wine from the prestigious terroirs of Burgundy, France. Brought to life by renowned winemaker David Duband, the 2019 vintage echoes a perfect blend of tradition and innovation. Each grape is hand-harvested and meticulously sorted to ensure only the finest contribute to this sophisticated potion.

David Duband, known for crafting beautiful Pinot Noirs, presents a refined balance of ripe, dark fruit and aromatic spices in the Vosne Romanee 2019. Aged in French oak barrels to develop complexity, every sip greets the palate with an elegant interplay between sweet black cherries, rich spices and fine-grained tannins. This distinctive wine embodies Vosne Romanee's characteristic opulence harmoniously blended with a controlled potency that lingers on the palate.

A bottle of 'David Duband Vosne Romanee 2019' is no less than experiencing the enchantment of Burgundy encapsulated in a glass.

L'Aphrodisiaque 2016 is a marriage of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir vinified entirely in older oak barrels of at least 15 vintages.

L'Apotre Blanc de Blancs 2014 which is certainly the star of his cellar, is a single-vineyard Blanc de Blancs (100% Chardonnay) from old vines planted by his grandfather in 1946. The wine is vinified in oak barrel which lend this Champagne a powerful vinous character.

Wine Advocate (94)

Perfumed and elegant, the 2019 de Fieuzal wafts from the glass with aromas of blackberries, licorice, coniferous forest floor and incense. Medium to full-bodied, lively and charming, with a pretty core of fruit, powdery tannin and a saline finish, it's a seamless, vibrant Pessac that—like its white counterpart—reflects the progress this 80-hectare Pessac-Léognan estate is making. It's a sleeper of the vintage.

Wine Advocate (96)

The 2022 de Fieuzal meets all expectations, unfurling with a perfumed bouquet of violet, iris, dark wild berries and flowers. Medium to full-bodied, seamless and layered, it gains depth with the élevage, revealing a fleshy core of fruit and an enrobing mid-palate framed by velvety, sweet tannins. Finishing long, ethereal and fresh, this blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot is one of my favorite wines in Pessac-Léognan. It will offer a broad drinking window and should improve with time in the cellar.

Wine Advocate (96)

The 2022 de Fieuzal meets all expectations, unfurling with a perfumed bouquet of violet, iris, dark wild berries and flowers. Medium to full-bodied, seamless and layered, it gains depth with the élevage, revealing a fleshy core of fruit and an enrobing mid-palate framed by velvety, sweet tannins. Finishing long, ethereal and fresh, this blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot is one of my favorite wines in Pessac-Léognan. It will offer a broad drinking window and should improve with time in the cellar.

Wine Advocate (95+)

The 2023 de Fieuzal reflects the estate’s ongoing refinement in matters of ripeness, élevage and extraction, revealing a complex and vibrant bouquet of cassis, mulberries, peony and rose petals, subtly accented by menthol. Medium- to full-bodied, precise and dense, it is crystalline and seamless, layered and finely textured, framed by powdery tannins and concluding with a long, ethereal and floral finish. This is a particularly accomplished rendition that allows both terroir and vintage to speak with clarity and authority.

Wine Advocate (95+)

The 2023 de Fieuzal reflects the estate’s ongoing refinement in matters of ripeness, élevage and extraction, revealing a complex and vibrant bouquet of cassis, mulberries, peony and rose petals, subtly accented by menthol. Medium- to full-bodied, precise and dense, it is crystalline and seamless, layered and finely textured, framed by powdery tannins and concluding with a long, ethereal and floral finish. This is a particularly accomplished rendition that allows both terroir and vintage to speak with clarity and authority.

Wine Advocate (95+)

The 2023 de Fieuzal reflects the estate’s ongoing refinement in matters of ripeness, élevage and extraction, revealing a complex and vibrant bouquet of cassis, mulberries, peony and rose petals, subtly accented by menthol. Medium- to full-bodied, precise and dense, it is crystalline and seamless, layered and finely textured, framed by powdery tannins and concluding with a long, ethereal and floral finish. This is a particularly accomplished rendition that allows both terroir and vintage to speak with clarity and authority.

Wine Advocate (95+)

The 2021 Blanc is turning out beautifully, evoking aromas of mint, spices, peach, lemon oil and spring flowers. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced, it’s tense and fleshy, crystalline and seamless, with a fresh, saline and pure finish. It feels reassuringly persistent and could age well over the next two decades. This outstanding wine is crafted from 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Sémillon.

Wine Advocate (95)

The 2023 Blanc from de Fieuzal is another superb rendition at this address, revealing a complex and attractive bouquet of pear, white peach, spring flowers and confit citrus. Medium- to full-bodied, enveloping and fleshy, it is built around a generous core of fruit framed by racy acidity and a crystalline texture, concluding with a long, perfumed and saline finish.

Vinous (90-92)

(two-thirds vendange entier; 25% new oak): Bright, full red. Distinctly limestone-driven aromas of raspberry, earth and smoky minerality. Silky, sappy and impressively concentrated, with black raspberry and cooler cherry flavors framed and enlivened by brisk acidity. The serious, broad tannins arrive late, allowing the wine's fruit flavors to carry well on the aftertaste.