- 61% Grenache and 34% Syrah with 3% Carignan, 1% Cinsault, and 1% Pinotage
- This vintage hails from 12 vineyards, which are located on granite soils from the Paardeberg, structured shale/schists from the east, clay-rich soils from the north, and iron-rich soils from the west
- Hand harvested over 15 days
- 40% on average whole bunch
- A portion of the must was fermented and matured in a concrete vessel – both Grenache, Cinsault, 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
- After bottling, the wine was aged in bottle for 18 months before release
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
2022
Country:
South Africa
Region:
Swartland
Appellation:
Swartland
Variety:
Blend - Swartland
Color:
Red
Farming Practice:
Practicing Organic
Sizes Available
| Full Bottle | ZA-DNS-04-22 | 12/750ml |
Resources
Press & Reviews
James Suckling
Score
94
Date
2024-08-20
"This is savory and peppery, drawing you in with cracked pepper, dried spices, dark cherries and bramble berry fruit. It,s firm yet silky and fine-grained with a medium body and sleek, spicy layers. Long and delicious. 61% grenache and 34% syrah with 3% carignan, 1% cinsault and 1% pinotage."
Vinous
Score
94
Date
2024-09-19
"The 2022 Elpidios contains the highest percentage of Grenache thus far. This has a glorious bouquet of ebullient red cherries, cranberry and rooibos scents intermixed with red brick aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannins. It,s beautifully balanced, with fine tension and a very refined finish that lingers in the mouth. This is a must-buy from David and Nadia Sadie."
Wine Advocate
Score
94
Date
2025-06-05
"This is an impressive blend of 61% Grenache Noir (a specialty of this estate), 34% Syrah, 3% Carignan, 1% Pinotage and 1% Cinsault. The David & Nadia 2022 Swartland Elpidios has a charming bouquet with exotic spice, licorice, cumin seed, olive tapenade, pressed blue flowers and blackcurrant. It shows a medium-lean mouthfeel but nevertheless embraces enormous brightness and tension. This wine would make an ideal partner to a classic chicken dinner. A total of 11,858 bottles were released."
Jancis Robinson
Score
16.5+
Date
2024-10-24
"Pale garnet. Interesting blend with more to offer than the Grenache. Deep flavoured. (JR)"
REVIEWS FROM PAST VINTAGES
2021
Wine Advocate
Score
96
Date
2023-12-29
2021
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."
2021
James Suckling
Score
94
Date
2023-10-20
2021
Vinous
Score
92
Date
2023-11-02
2021
Jancis Robinson
Score
16.5+
Date
2023-09-17
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
James Suckling
Score
94
Date
2022-01-24
Vinous
Score
93
Date
2021-12-01
Wine Spectator
Score
92
Date
2023-04-10
Jancis Robinson
Score
17.5
Date
2021-09-07