Plat'bos Chenin Blanc 2024 David & Nadia

Tasting Note Plat'bos Chenin Blanc 2024

It offers aromas of lime pith and white peach, with dry, stony notes lingering behind the fruit, perceived more as texture than flavor. A tight, taut mouthfeel, acidity that cuts straight through the center, and the small 2024 harvest yield results in a concentrated flavor rather than one with weight. Due to lees contact, a faint, chalky chewiness lingers on the mid-palate. The finish is savory with a hint of saltiness. What sets Plat'bos apart is its focus rather than opulence. It's excellent from 2026 onwards, and thanks to its acidity, there's no need to rush.

Grape Varieties

Chenin Blanc, nothing else. Granite soils yield slender, savory flavors rather than tropical fruit aromas, and early harvesting preserves the acidity that underpins the tight frame of the Plat'bos 2024.

Cellaring Potential

It's best enjoyed between 2026 and 2043. The wine's aging potential is driven by its acidity, not oak, and its bone-dry finish. Serve at 10-12°C. Decanting isn't necessary, but it's best served in a large glass.

About David & Nadia

“David & Nadia” is a small winery located in Swartland. Its philosophy is rooted in old vines, granite, and an unwavering belief that “South African wines reveal their best qualities when they are fresh, dry, and unpretentious.” Husband and wife David and Nadia Sadie jointly manage viticulture and winemaking at the “Paardebosch” farm in Paardeberg, producing wines from Chenin Blanc, Grenache, as well as several blends that are gradually becoming the benchmark for this region.

Terroir & Climate

Swartland is located at the warm northern end of the Coastal Region, while Plat'bos is situated on Paardeberg, a hill on the southern edge of Swartland. While the region is generally warm, cool Atlantic breezes help temper the heat. The dry air reduces the risk of mildew, allowing the old bush vines (which grow independently without supports) to produce small but concentrated berries. The soil, composed of weathered granite, is loose and not particularly fertile, and it is precisely this characteristic that gives the Chenin Blanc wine a restrained rather than opulent flavor profile.

Winemaking

About 60% of the David & Nadia white wine is aged in concrete tanks, while the remainder is aged in 500-liter old French oak barrels, never new. New oak barrels absorb moisture and add gloss. The texture comes from the lees.

Food Pairing

Thanks to its saltiness and intense acidity, Plat'bos Chenin Blanc pairs exceptionally well with shellfish.

• West Coast: Oysters, lemon, and nothing else
• Grilled: Snoek (Cape's signature dish), with smoky notes that contrast with citrus
• Roast: Chicken with fennel and butter. The lees texture cuts through the fat beautifully
• Fresh: Goat cheese. A meeting of chalk and chalk

Dry, crisp white wines like these pair much better with salty flavors than creamy ones.