The Sadie Family, Rotsbank

The Sadie Family, RotsbankThe 2022 Rotsbank is pure Chenin Blanc from Swartland that Sadie told me he had waited 14 years to make. The 39 year old vines grow on a shallow blue granite shelf. It is whole bunch pressed and aged in old foudres. It has a penetrating granitic nose, a touch of Crustacea, and is very well defined with a hint of green olive. The palate is supremely well balanced, taut and vibrant, with real depth and a tingle of white pepper on the finish. This is a

This is also overtly floral-suffused with its array of lavender

(also from 60 to 70 year old vines)

but less in the way of finesse and nuance

three months after the bottling

(from 7 different lieux-dits)

The Lazzarito is still the Barolo that spends the longest number of months in French oak following the malolactic fermentation

The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Chaupin is all Grenache

that are trimmed in just enough wood to notice

150 cases imported

There are some 19

(from a parcel of vines in Les Epointures

displaying scents and flavors of blackcurrant