- 54% Grenache, 31% Syrah, 13% Cinsault, 1% Carignan, 1% Pinotage
- Produced from grapes from 11 different vineyards harvested in 17 lots
- This vintage is again based on grapes grown in granite soils from the Paardeberg, blended with structured shale/schists from the east, clay rich soils from the north and iron rich soils from the west
- The 2020 vintage again includes a portion of wine that was fermented and matured in a concrete vessel – both Grenache and Syrah
- Along with the concrete vessels, the wine was also matured in old 500 L neutral French oak barrels and a 4,100L foudre (Pinotage)
- The Elpidios is produced in similar fashion to our main Grenache noir in terms of long, gentle extraction, the use of 40% on average whole bunches and then pressed off
- After bottling, the wine was aged in bottle for 18 months before release
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
2021
Country:
South Africa
Region:
Swartland
Appellation:
Swartland
Variety:
Blend - Swartland
Color:
Red
Farming Practice:
Practicing Organic
Sizes Available
| Full Bottle | ZA-DNS-04-21 | 12/750ml |
Resources
Press & Reviews
Wine Advocate
Score
96
Date
2023-12-29
Decanter
Score
95
Date
2025-07-31
"A wine that has evolved significantly over the years, moving from being mainly Syrah and Carignan to a Grenache-based blend. The 2021 comprises 54% Grenache, 31% Syrah, 13% Carignan, 1% Pinotage and 1% Cinsault. This is perhaps the best vintage yet – a vindication of David and Nadia Sadie's detail-oriented approach over a decade. The nose is beautifully aromatic, with mastic, fresh thyme and fynbos – it truly smells of the Cape – alongside smoky red cherry and raspberry fruit. Tactile, finely ground tannins frame the wine, which has admirable juiciness on the palate. With air, hints of menthol and liquorice emerge, and the fruit profile deepens to reveal fresh blackcurrant. Long and perfumed on the finish, this is quite simply one of the best South African Rhône-style red blends your money can buy. Best served lightly chilled – give it 30 minutes in the fridge door."
James Suckling
Score
94
Date
2023-10-20
Vinous
Score
92
Date
2023-11-02
Jancis Robinson
Score
16.5+
Date
2023-09-17
REVIEWS FROM PAST VINTAGES
2020
James Suckling
Score
93
Date
2022-12-11
"A lovely mix of red and blue fruit on the nose with notes of thyme, rosemary and ground clove. Medium-bodied with silky tannins. Nicely concentrated with a savory core of black fruit. Coffee, tar and chicory root come through. 38% grenache noir, 36% syrah, 10% cinsaut, 9% carignan and 7% pinotage. Drink or hold."
2020
Wine Advocate
Score
93+
Date
2022-12-30
"Composed of 38% Grenache, 36% Syrah, 10% Cinsault, 9% Carignan and 7% Pinotage, the 2020 Elpidios comes from 12 different vineyards and was made from 50% whole-cluster fruit. On the nose, the wine offers soft herbal hints of mint and menthol with a delightful undertone of wild brush before swaying with a red-fruited nature and delicate dusty essence. Medium-bodied and with 13.5% alcohol, the wine is juicy and mineral on the palate and offers delightful herbal essences across the structured mid-palate. The wine glides to a delightfully minty finish that will remain food-friendly for over a decade. Give it at least one more year in the bottle, and decant for at least 30 minutes before enjoying."
2020
Vinous
Score
92
Date
2022-09-29
2020
Jancis Robinson
Score
17
Date
2022-07-03
2019
James Suckling
Score
94
Date
2022-01-24
2019
Vinous
Score
93
Date
2021-12-01
2019
Wine Spectator
Score
92
Date
2023-04-10
2019
Jancis Robinson
Score
17.5
Date
2021-09-07