Rhône Theme
Timed Online Auction, 13 - 20 February 2023
Rhône Theme
About the SessionThe first sale of the 2023 Strauss & Co Fine Wine Auction calendar is an exciting Rhône valley and Rhône-style offering.
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About this Item
Eben Sadie is South Africa’s most revered winemaker and he arguably kick-started the local fine wine revolution. Over two decades his pursuit for quality in the Swartland has been unparalleled in South Africa and he was voted Winemaker of the Year in 2017 by the International Master of Wine Institute. Eben’s wines were influenced by the Rhône and Spain, with traditional local varieties sourced from pockets of old bush vines and unique terroirs. Long-ageing Columella is often regarded as South Africa’s best red, while Palladius similarly offers an incredible Swartland expression and decades of longevity. The old vine single vineyard series, which was first released in the 2009 vintage, is now firmly the most sought-after release of the year. Mev Kirsten is South Africa’s rarest white wine, produced from a century old Stellenbosch vineyard, while the now legendary Skurfberg received 100 points from Tim Atkin in 2020.
The Piekenierskloof took its name from the piekeniers (foot soldiers) who were located at the top of the pass of the mountain to protect the lifestock in this part of the old Cape Colony from theft, hence this parcel of vines being named Soldaat (Soldier). This pure Grenache on granite soils is often said to have a nose ‘reminiscent of an old Rayas’. Forming part of Sadie’s Old Vine Series, only 350 cases were produced.
Provenance
Private Client
Critics Ratings
'Ex venerable, high-altitude dryland vines in Piekenierskloof, arguably SA’s top terroir for grenache. 2017 intense strawberry & raspberry tones lifted by spice, given form by hallmark feisty grape tannin grip. Ethereal, treads as lightly as 2016 (4.5 stars, 94 pts) but no pushover, has legs for ageing.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2019, 5* (95 pts)
'The Soldaat vineyard is located on decomposed granite soils at 805 metres, but this is no light, ethereal rendition of the grape. Grippy and sappy, with 85% whole bunches, no wood, but plenty of tannin and dark fruit. Needs time. 2021-28.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2018, 93/100
'The 2017 Soldaat is pure Grenache from high-altitude sandstone soils at 708 metres, one of the highest elevations for reds in the Cape. It is fermented in concrete, whole-bunch except for 10 to 15% to get the fermentation going. It has a very pure bouquet of voluminous red cherries and crushed strawberry fruit, plus a touch of patisserie in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with chalky tannin, cranberry and light earthy notes that are expressed on the finish. Very fine, tough there is some reduction, so don't hesitate to give this a decant. - Neal Martin, Vinous, 92/100 (Aug 2018)
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