David & Nadia Rondevlei 2022

David and Nadia Sadie farm in Swartland, the warm, dry Coastal Region district that has led South Africa's revival of old-vine Chenin Blanc. Rondevlei is a single-vineyard bottling from mature dry-farmed bush vines grown on decomposed schist, a poor, stony soil that drains freely and pushes roots deep, giving the wine its mineral spine and salinity. The old vines carry small yields of concentrated fruit, and the region's cool Atlantic breezes temper the heat and preserve acidity. Fermented with native yeasts and aged in barrel, mostly older wood, the wine gains texture and a savoury depth from long lees contact while keeping its fruit clarity. The colour is pale gold with green glints. The nose is expressive and layered, with white peach, ripe pear and dried herbs over a honeyed, beeswax note. The palate is dry, dense and textured, the orchard fruit carried by a firm, stony structure and a long, saline finish. It has the concentration to develop in bottle. Serve at 11 to 12 degrees in a large glass.