2023 Sadie Family Palladius, Swartland

The 2023 offers pressed yellow flowers and light walnut and hazelnut scents in the background. The palate is well balanced with a slightly honeyed texture on the entry. Wonderful depth, edgy, a little more acidity than the '22, with a long, quite saline finish. Give this three or four years in bottle if you can.

96 points Neal Martin for Vinous

Palladius now includes 14 different varieties, with the addition of 6% Assyrtiko to the blend in 2023. Fresher and more focused than it used to be, with less stone fruit sweetness, this is one of the best young releases I've tasted, but will age very well too. Pear, citrus and apricot flavours are underpinned by pithy acidity, with a salty undertone, subtle wood and a tapering finish. 2027-35.

98 points Tim Atkin MW South Africa Special Report 2025

Very fresh and exciting, showing lemon curd, wild thyme, white pepper, sliced apple, pear, clove and crushed stone aromas. It’s layered and creamy, complex, with a full body and wonderful freshness brought by mineral and very subtle herbal undertones. Long, salty and structured.

97 points James Suckling

Few wines have had a greater influence on modern South African wine than Palladius. First released in 2002, it became Eben Sadie's vision for a white wine that could capture the complexity, texture and sense of place of the Swartland. Today, Palladius stands among the world's most sought after white blends, sourced from an extraordinary collection of old, dry grown vineyards scattered across the region. Sadie's meticulous farming, respect for old vines and commitment to expressing terroir have helped place Swartland firmly on the global fine wine map.

The 2023 release is drawn from a mosaic of ancient vineyards planted on granite, sandstone, shale and iron rich soils. The blend typically includes a range of Mediterranean varieties such as Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, Verdelho, Clairette Blanche, Viognier, Semillon and Palomino, each contributing a unique layer to the finished wine. Fermentation and maturation take place in a combination of concrete, clay amphorae and large old wooden vessels, preserving freshness while building remarkable texture and complexity.

Bright straw gold in colour, the aromas unfold slowly and reward patience. Layers of preserved lemon, white peach and yellow apple mingle with notes of chamomile, fennel pollen and white flowers. As the wine opens, hints of beeswax, crushed herbs, almond, lanolin and wet stone emerge, revealing extraordinary depth. The palate is powerful yet effortlessly balanced, combining citrus, orchard fruits and savoury nuances with a finely textured mouthfeel. A vibrant line of acidity provides tension, while a profound mineral character carries the wine through an exceptionally long, detailed finish.

This is a white wine built for the table. Pair it with grilled lobster, turbot with beurre blanc, saffron scented seafood stew, roast chicken with preserved lemon or a wild mushroom and truffle risotto. While captivating in its youth, Palladius will continue to evolve for fifteen to twenty years, developing greater layers of honey, spice and savoury complexity.