2020 David & Nadia Swartland Grenache

While Eben Sadie put the grace of South Africa's Swartland region and its old vine materials into focus for the international wine collecting community, David and Nadia Sadie, who are of no recent blood relation, have been thrust into the limelight by a handful of UK writers and MW types. Turns out the Sadie family name has defined Swartland farming since the 18th century. Jancis Robinson connected David and Nadia Sadie with their American importer, Skurnik wines, after tasting the wines at an event in London, and Tim Atkins MW has also gushed over the wines. Their precision-driven, saline Chenin Blancs were the first South African wines to receive over 98 Points in Decanter, and the Grenache has been a press darling for a handful of years now. With the prices of our favorite Old World regions shooting through the roof, I have been reaching for South African Grenache and Cinsault when I want a lighter styled red wine for dinner. It doesn't get much better than this at $25. Inspired by Château Rayas, this fleet-footed and mineral-hewn Grenache style is fermented with 60% whole clusters in a combination of cement and old foudre. You'll find great complexity at this price point. The wine has a good depth of wild cherry fruit along with fennel, subtle musk, singed underbrush and fresh pink peppercorn in a lithe medium-bodied frame with prickly fine tannins and a soft finish. If you're going to buy one, I'd suggest getting two. 

93 Points James Suckling: "Pretty nose of dried lavender, raspberries, currants, plum stones and licorice. Lemon peel, too. It’s medium-bodied with sleek tannins and vibrant acidity. Fresh, bright and pure."