Young Guns and New Wave Producers
Timed Online Auction, 17 - 27 November 2023
Young Gun and New Wave Producers
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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 Mev Kirsten heralds from a vineyard at the base of Jonkershoek, Stellenbosch. Generally recognized as the oldest Chenin Blanc vineyard in SA, having been established between 1905 and 1920.
Provenance
Wine Cellar Private Client
Critics Ratings
2018:
‘Mrs Kirsten is what Eben Sadie describes as "our urban vineyard", located in downtown Stellenbosch. At 120 years of age, these scrubby plants are the most venerable Chenin Blanc vines in South Africa and they've produced a best-ever vintage in 2018. Rich, bold yet incredibly focused, this has tangy reduction, subtle lees and a long, long finish. 2021-30’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2019, 98/100
‘The 2018 Mev. Kirsten has a seductive bouquet of dried honey, mirabelle, orange blossom and light fennel aromas. The palate is fresh and saline on the entry, with a sense of energy and vivid animation. The marmalade and quince-tinged finish leaves the tongue tingling with glee. This continues to be one of Sadie's most compelling labels.’ - Neal Martin, Vinous, 97/100 (Oct 2019)
‘SA’s oldest chenin, Stellenbosch block mostly planted 100+ years ago. Undergoes initial carbonic maceration to protect oxidation-prone juice. 2018 stately & opulent but also has thrilling acidity lighting up gorgeous red apple, peachy fruit. Precision, as in 2017 (4.5 stars, 94 pts). Possibly longest-lived of these whites.’ – Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2020, 5* (95/100)
2019:
‘Recent investment of time & labour in SA’s oldest chenin block, in Stellenbosch, is paying dividends. 2019 serene, elegant, with seamless aromatic layers, apple blossom, white peach. Beautifully textured too, dense & silky, lit by electrifying acidity. ‘Give this wine time’ begs the team. Mesmerising, complete. Probably the best to date.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2021, 5* (98/100)
‘The 2019 Mev. Kirsten, which is pure Stellenbosch Chenin, is taut and precise on the nose, displaying a similar marine influence as the Kokerboom, plus touches of fern and lanolin. The saline, slightly nutty palate is supremely well balanced with a killer line of acidity and touches of sour lemon on the aftertaste. This deserves 4–5 years in bottle, as it has huge potential. A quite brilliant wine from guru Sadie.’ – Neal Martin, Vinous, 96/100 (Apr 2021)
‘There's only one foudre of this celebrated Chenin Blanc in 2019, alas, sourced from the oldest vineyard of the variety in the Cape. Now made in a more reductive, focused style than was the case in the early vintages, this has peach and pear fruit, subtle wood, effortless concentration, stony tension and palate length. Give it time to open up in the glass. 2022-29’ - Tim Atkin SA Special Report 2020, 95/100
‘From Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc. The merest hint of honeysuckle before naartjie, yellow peach plus subtle notes of bees’ wax and fresh bread. The palate is powerful but supremely well balanced – impressive fruit concentration is matched by a good line of acidity before a savoury finish. Seems a little more reined in than previous vintages which serves it well.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 95/100 (Feb 2021)
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