Swartland Series: Part 2 - Swartland Stories

Craig Hawkins – Testalonga El Bandito & Lammershoek

David Sadie – David & Paardebosch

For our next foray into the world of wine, we moved to the opposite end of the spectrum – wines local to the area made by two of the youngest wine makers in the region. Here, we diverged paths again with the very different approaches of each of these young lads.

• Testalonga El Bandito Skin Contact Chenin Blanc (2014):  42 year old vines, 4 weeks of skin contact. Lime & passion fruit cordial, pineapple beer, fermenting apple juice, charcoal.

• Lammershoek Chenin Blanc (2013): Grass & blossoms, pith, softer, unripe naartjies.

• Testalonga El Bandito King of Grapes (2014): 100% whole bunch Grenache, 2000l wood tanks, 8 days of skin contact. Tart berry jelly, red Wine Gums soaked in alcohol, drunken grandma, slight fine black pepper, powder tannin, lean.

• Lammershoek Celler Foot Mourvedre (2013): Cherry cocktails, white spice, tea bag tannins, strong rooibos, slight bitterness.

• David Aristargos (2013): Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Claret Blanc, Roussanne. Orange blossom, jasmine, lemon soap, softly spiced flowers, Nasturtium spice. (**)

• Paardebosch Chenin Blanc (2014):  9 months in old French oak. Nutmeg & lemon, roundness, grapefruit, spice, warming, strong-willed, baked grapefruit.

• David Elpidias (2012): Shiraz, Carnigan, Grenache, Cinsault, 22 – 24 months age. Spiced gummy berries, tart, powdery, lurking blackness.

• David Grenache (2014): Barrel sample. Clouds of cinnamon, cherry meat, peppered silverside.

Bantering Boys:

• “We pick on acid”
• David is not related to Eben Sadie of Sadie Family Wines