David & Nadia Chenin Blanc 2021 is a refined, terroir-driven dry white from David & Nadia Wines, a boutique, family-owned project based in the Swartland region of South Africa that focuses on old dry-land bush vines and low-intervention winemaking to let soil and site speak in every bottle. Their vineyards span a spectrum of granite, shale, clay and iron-rich soils, farmed sustainably with an emphasis on biological practices and minimal cellar manipulation. This bottle carries the Certified Heritage Vineyards (CHV) seal and is part of the broader Old Vine Project, celebrating old-vine fruit from sites planted between the late 1960s and mid-1980s. The 2021 Chenin Blanc is made from grapes harvested from multiple old-vine parcels, hand-picked across 18 pickings, whole-bunch pressed and fermented with indigenous yeasts in a combination of neutral French oak and concrete, with about 18 % fermented or aged in concrete eggs. After roughly 11 months of maturation on fine lees, the wine was bottled with minimal sulphur to preserve its natural purity and expression of place. In the glass it shows a pale golden hue and layers of bright citrus, lemon zest and lime, with saline minerality and subtle lees-driven complexity. The palate is fresh yet layered, displaying flavours of white orchard fruit, lemon blossom and wet stone, anchored by vibrant acidity and a lingering, mineral-fresh finish that highlights Swartland’s rugged terroir. Critics have praised its lively balance, energetic acidity and food-friendly depth, with high scores from major reviewers. This Chenin Blanc pairs beautifully with fresh seafood, oysters, shellfish, herb-roasted chicken, creamy pasta with citrus herbs or goat’s cheese, and also works wonderfully as a refined apéritif. Why we love this wine? We love Chenin and this Chenin is an exquisite expression of terroir!
