With the 2018 new releases of the David & Nadia Single Vineyard Chenin Blancs setting the South African industry alight with excitement, it is easy to forget that David has also been producing one of the Swartland’s top white blends for over 10 years with high scoring consistency.

The Aristargos is traditionally a blend of 14 to 16 different vineyards based around Chenin Blanc, Clairette Blanche, Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne which are often picked in over 20 batches such as in 2018. I recently tasted an interesting mini vertical of this superb white blend and was very impressed with the wine’s intensity, balance, structure and complexity.

At a fraction of the single vineyard Chenin Blanc prices, the Aristargos and David & Nadia straight Chenin Blanc are certainly wines collectors should take note of and seek out. They offer impressive value and outstanding quality.

David & Nadia Aristargos 2012, 13.5 Abv.

Six vineyards from the Swartland used in total. Chenin Blanc, Clairette Blanche, Chardonnay and Viognier. 100% malolactic employed with regular battonage. Delicious, lifted aromatics of wet thatch, orange peel, peaches and honey on white toast. Rich and creamy with finely toned supporting acids, toffee apple and peach purée. Lovely balance, length and complexity.

(Wine Safari Score: 92+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

David & Nadia Aristargos 2014, 13.5 Abv.

Six vineyards used in total. Chenin Blanc, Clairette Blanche, Viognier, Roussanne and around 5% Paardebosch Semillon. 100% malolactic employed with no battonage. Rich creamy peaches and cream notes, dusty granite, gravel, dry hay and ripe pear. Cool, crystalline, classical palate with taut frame, subtle vanilla pod richness, white peach, pear and lovely focus with purity. Ageing well.

(Wine Safari Score: 93/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

David & Nadia Aristargos 2016, 13.5 Abv.

Chenin Blanc, Clairette Blanche, Viognier, and Roussanne. Lovely pithy, sappy mineral aromatics with dry thatch, fynbos, sea breeze maritime notes and crunchy white peach. Fabulous length and breadth, creamy glycerol texture, salinity and fabulous fleshy yellow orchard fruit balance with a subtle piquant tangerine peel kiss on the finish. Very impressive.

(Wine Safari Score: 95+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

David & Nadia Aristargos 2017, 13.5 Abv.

53% Chenin Blanc, 13% Clairette Blanche, 13% Semillon, 10% Roussanne, 9% Viognier and 2% Marsanne. Complex nose with greengage, lactic yellow fruits, pineapple, crushed gravel, fynbos, granite and crunchy green pear nuances. Harmonious and fabulously luxurious texture that combines fruit concentration, pineapple pastille fruit intensity, vibrant balancing acids and a long, piercing saline finish. A benchmark white blend.

(Wine Safari Score: 96/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

David & Nadia Aristargos 2018, 13 Abv.

A blend of 53% Chenin Blanc, 13% Clairette Blanche, 13% Semillon, 10% Roussanne, 9% Viognier and 2% Marsanne from 14 vineyards. The aromatics of this youthful blend are dominated by the Grand Cru intensity of the Chenin Blanc with sweet floral white blossom notes, dried thatch, crunchy white peaches, honey on white toast and delicious pure pineapple pastille nuances. The palate shows wonderful intensity, concentration and fruit purity framed by vibrantly crisp acids, a pithy yellow fruit melange, distinctive salinity and a genuinely superb granitic mineral complexity. Long, focused and very precise. Winemaking par excellence.

(Wine Safari Score: 95+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

The David & Nadia wines are distributed in the UK market by Justerini & Brooks.