Notes

Please note the condition of the front label of the Sadie Family 'T Voetpad 2017 label (see image).

Provenance

Wine Cellar Private Client

Critics Ratings

2015:
'A blend of Semillon Blanc, Semillon Gris, Chenin Blanc, Palomino and Muscat, the 2015 Old Vine Series T Voetpad has a strict, linear bouquet that needed the most encouragement from the glass out of all Eben's 2015s. The palate is beautifully balanced and packed full of flavor: orange rind, bitter lemon, sea salt, lanolin and a touch of hazelnut, fanning out beautifully towards the finish that demonstrates superb vigor. This is a blistering follow-up to the 2014 and two minutes after the wine has departed, you can still feel the mouth tingling with salinity.' – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 97/100

‘Field blend from one of SA’s oldest vineyards. Near-equal Chenin, Semillon and Palomino with 6% Muscat produce generous, expressive and remarkably textured 2015. Like 2014 (5 stars, 98 pts), rich, with complex flavours focused by precise acidity and attractive pithiness. Year well-seasoned foudre.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2017, 4.5*

‘This wild vineyard, frequented by snakes and baboons, is arguably the oldest and most isolated in South Africa. A blend of Semillon, Chenin, Palomino and Muscat, it’s sappy, savoury and almost tannic, with remarkable minerality. Stylish oak and notes of aniseed and Mediterranean herbs. One of the great wines of the New World. Drink: 2016-22.’ - Tim Atkin SA Special Report 2016, 97/100

2016:
‘Planted between 1900 and 1928, and all on its own roots, this wild, isolated vineyard is one of the oldest in the Cape. Combining Semillon, Chenin, Palomino and Muscat, the resulting wine is more exotic than the 2015, with tangerine and stone fruit undertones, some baking spices and a stony finish. 2017-23’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2018, 99/100

‘Field blend from one of SA’s oldest vineyards. Equal chenin & semillon - less palomino in 2016, a more equal partner in 2015 (4.5 stars, 94 pts) - dash muscat as ever. Charming if understated citrus fruit profile; the real attraction is its stony leanness, breathtaking balance. Year well-seasoned vats.’ - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2018, 5* (98/100)

‘Exotic mix of old vines. Pungent and distinctive. I note prices are not given for these Sadie wines! Long and exciting. Fermented lemon cough lozenges.’ – Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17+/20 (Oct 2017)

‘Pure, focused and very refined, this lets Bosc pear, Jonagold apple and white peach flavors stream through unhindered while echoes of persimmon, verbena and macadamia nut fill the background. Floral lift and a light quinine thread add tension through the finish. A real jaw-dropper. Chenin Blanc, Sémillon Blanc, Sémillon Gris, Palomino and Muscat. Drink now through 2026.’ - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 96/100 (Feb 2018)

2017:
‘My favourite Sadie Family white changes from vintage to vintage - let’s face it, there are so many candidates. In 2017 it is ’T Voetpad, a world-class wine that’s made with the oldest field blend in the country. Just a fingertip from perfection, it combines Chenin Blanc, Semillon, Palomino, Malvasia Rei and Hanepoot in a seamless whole. Savoury, leesy, waxy and layered, it’s a wine that keeps giving in the glass, unfurling flavours of Burgundian complexity. 2020-30’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2018, 99/100

'A Swartland field blend. An amazingly complex nose – floral perfume and dried herbs before citrus, apple, stone fruit plus some leesy complexity. Rich and full on the palate but wonderfully composed – impressive fruit concentration matched by a great line of acidity and a finish that goes on and on. Dense, layered and grippy, it’s totally arresting. Already very expressive, you nevertheless get the sense that this wine will deliver plenty more in time.' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 97/100 (Nov 2018)

‘The 2017 ‘T Voetpad Fermented is a mélange of white grape varieties planted between 1887 and 1920 and was aged in one old foudre. It has a very well defined bouquet with scents of white flower, black currant leaf, tangerine and a touch of marmalade. The taut, linear palate is well balanced with a crisp line of acidity, offering touches of peach skin and a hint of white pepper and fennel on the finish. Wonderful.’ - Neal Martin, Vinous, 95/100 (Aug 2018)

2018:
‘‘T Voetpad is my South African white wine of the year for the second time in succession, but one thing is certain: it will be someone else's turn next year, as no 2019 was produced. This incredible old vineyard, preserved from the bulldozers by its isolation and a certain amount of bloody mindedness, is a field blend of Semillon, Palomino, Chenin Blanc and Muscat, perfectly combined in a wine that should sell for five times the price. Pear, lime, beeswax, citrus and orange peel flavours segue into a salty, mineral-etched finish. 2020-30’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2019, 99/100

‘A Swartland field blend. Some struck-match reduction on an initially shy nose although citrus – lemon, naartjie, orange – comes to the fore. The palate is super-concentrated with tangy acidity and some grip to the finish. It’s an impressively forceful and dramatic wine.’ – Chrisitan Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 96/100 (Jul 2019)

‘Isolated ungrafted Swartland vines, co-fermented field blend chenin, semillon blanc/gris, palomino & muscat d’Alexandrie. 2018 tiny quantity yet star quality, easily tops breathtaking 2017 (4.5 stars, 93 pts). Kaleidoscope of flavour: white peach, orange citrus, spice, across textured palate. Full of energy, great potential.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2020, 5* (95/100)

‘A blend of Semillon, Palomino, Chenin & Muscat, the 2018 Old Vine Series T Voetpad Has a citrus-driven knows with the subtle floral hints from Muscat. Initially, the focus of the wine was mineral-driven. As the wine opened up, it gained in complexity, expressing each varietal individually over time. Mandarin orange, Meyer lemon zest, red delicious apple and stargazer lily, all promenade, with impeccable texture and minerality that is beautifully woven into the fabric of the wine. Medium-bodied, with the long complex finish, the T Voetpad has lively acidity and balanced focus that will last for years to come!’ – Anthony Mueller, Wine Advocate, 94/100 (Oct 2019)