Chenin Blanc/Other Blends

The Skool Chenin blanc is a single vineyard planted in the 1960’s on Kalmoesfontein right next to an old community school (hence the name ‘Skool’). The soil is composed of sandy, decomposed granite with many big rocks in between. This is the first vintage we bottled the wine from this parcel separately. The wine expresses typical Chenin blanc flavours found in the wines of Swartland. Yellow stone fruit, good texture, freshness, and concentration of fruit is the norm from this site. This wine is not released annually. 1520 bottles made. #NEWSA

'Arrival 25 May or earlier This wine, incorporating grapes from seven separate vineyards on various soils with planting dates ranging from 1968 to 1985, just gets more and more refined. The nose shows pear, peach and citrus to go with potpourri and a touch of flinty reduction. The palate, meanwhile, is pure and concentrated with lively acidity and a saline finish. Each component part combining seamlessly, the end-result is a wine of particular poise and luminosity.' – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 96/100. #NEWSA

Introducing the fourth vintage of the Plat’bos Chenin blanc, planted right next to the Skaliekop vineyard in decomposed granite. Planted in 1981 on the Paardebosch farm, this vineyard contributes to both our main Chenin blanc as well as Aristargos and it will continue to do so. We have been farming this vineyard since winter 2013 and it has been a pillar in our granite approach towards our white wines. Grapes were harvested in the first part of February, being one of the earliest Chenin blanc vineyards we work with, planted on a northern slope. Harvesting took place over three picking dates and all lots were fermented and aged...

Tim Atkin MW 92 points "To make up for the variety's comparatively low acidity in the Swartland, David and Nadia Sadie used seven days of skin contact on this old-vine Semillon, produced for the first time in 2018. Elegant, bready and showing some tannic structure, it's a promising début from this brilliant couple." - Tim Atkin MW, South African Special Report 2019. #NEWSA

Tim Atkin 96 points. A wine of incredible density and precision. A hint of yellow suggests sun ripened berries, with a bright green hue promising freshness. Aromas of lime blossom, white peach, caramel and brioche are followed by a poised palate with an extremely concentrated core. This is a great wine that will reward decades of cellaring. A true statement of DeMorgenzon’s dedication to excellence. Very limited production. VINIFICATION AND MATURATION The grapes were picked in two different passes from a particular part of the old vineyard. The grapes were handpicked in the early morning hours, with bunch selection done in the...

Tim Atkin MW 95 points. Winemakers Comments This show-stopping white displays effusive aromas of white flower, stone fruit, honey and toast which erupt into opulent flavours of pear, orange blossom, caramel, and spice. It’s a world-class wine offering that strikes a brilliant balance between lush fruit and crisp, mouth-watering acidity.

James Suckling 97 points. Bright, medium to deep gold hue, showing focused and pure aromas of honeysuckle, fresh vanilla, lemon tart, dried mango, ginger and a hint of saffron. Certainly quite sweet, but not unctuous, with the natural, effortless acidity managing to balance the lushness. Intense, yet scented and naturally expressive. Persistent finish. You crave for a second glass if you drink it now, but you can also hold it for a decade in your cellar. #NEWINT

Tim Aitken 96/100   Sadie’s signature white, Palladius, is a blend of all eleven 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, and so to try to use all the permitted varieties. As a result, this is harvested from 17 separate sites, with the full list of grapes 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 key role in...