Provenance

Wine Cellar Private Client

Critics Ratings

2016:
‘Always priced above the other Sadie whites, largely because of the age and small size of the vineyard and the tiny yields, this is a stunning Chenin in 2016: rich, dense and honeyed, but with a structure that would suit a red wine, with notes of pepper spice and struck match and a long, minerally finish. 2018-28.’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2017, 96/100

‘On the nose, there’s a top note of hay before, lemon, orange, apple and stone fruit; there’s also a hint of yeasty complexity but the wine generally shows less secondary character than previously. The palate is rich but this manifests in terms of intensity of flavour rather than viscosity and there’s lovely tangy acidity adding vim and vigour while some grip on the finish only adds to the drinking experience. A dramatic wine but similarly very well proportioned.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 95/100 (Aug 2017)

'With a richer, bolder expression, a testament to the challenging vintage, the 2016 Old Vine Series Mev Kirsten has a gorgeous nose, showing dusty pineapple, apple skin with white spice and baked earth. In the mouth, the wine expands to show greater depth with a delicate nuttiness and mineral tension, with the subtle growing flavor of arugula, moving slightly waxy across the mid-palate. Medium to full-bodied, the mouthfeel is well textured and has an amazing liveliness to the long complex and lingering finish.' - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 94/100

‘White peach, pear and nectarine, 2016 Chenin from 100+ year old block’s quintessential Stellenbosch fruit character is precise and pure, perhaps even more so than in 2015 (94 pts). The least savoury/mineral of these whites, at least in this vintage, its dignity and persistence is always beyond reproach. Fermented/year in concrete ‘eggs’ and clay pots.’ – Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2016, 4.5* (93/100)

2017:
'From a vineyard in Stellenbosch planted between 1905 and 1920. A billowing nose of potpourri, citrus, stone fruit, earth, ginger and other spice plus a hint of leesy complexity. The palate is super-rich but equally super-fresh, thick-textured yet simultaneously vibrant and so very complex. Utterly compelling.' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 96/100 (Nov 2018)

'The 2017 Mev. Kirsten is pure Chenin Blanc from the oldest Chenin Blanc in South Africa, planted in 1905. It has a very intense bouquet of yellow stone fruit, chamomile and touches of orange blossom. The harmonious, beautifully defined palate offers perfect acidity and flavors of orange peel, ginger, fynbos, white peach and, again, a hint of chamomile that lingers beautifully in the mouth. This is another stunning white from Eben Sadie, one of the best wines he’s ever made - and he’s made a lot.' - Neal Martin, Vinous, 97/100 (Aug 2018)

‘Chenin from partly-100+ year old block in Stellenbosch, vinified differently to white siblings, initial carbonic maceration to protect oxidation-prone juice. 2017 less savoury & mineral than Skurfberg, opulent without cosmetic of oak or big alcohol; as always, precision personified.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2019, 4.5* (94/100)

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)