Young Guns and New Wave Producers
Timed Online Auction, 17 - 27 November 2023
Young Gun and New Wave Producers
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.
Palladius is the Sadie family’s signature white wine, a pure expression of the Swartland that is produced from 10 local and Rhône white varieties. Palladius is named after the Roman author who continued Columella’s work and is today one of SA’s most highly regarded white wines.
Notes
Please note the condition of the front label of the Sadie Family Palladius 2010 label (see image).
Provenance
Private Client
Critics Ratings
2003:
'(40% chenin blanc, with equal parts viognier, chardonnay and grenache blanc) Deep straw color. Waxy, exotic aromas of dried peach, orange and honey. Rich and velvety in the mouth, with notes of orange, nuts and marzipan. With aeration, fruitier flavors of apricot and pear nectar became dominant. The wine's very slight sweetness is buffered by edgy orange acidity. Builds nicely toward the back but shows some alcoholic warmth in the way of a white wine from Priorat. But this blend boasts better retention of primary fruit than most white wines from the hottest parts of Spain and France.' - Stephen Tanzer, Vinous (Mar 2005)
2007:
‘Breathtaking elevation of Chenin: a singular, wondrous tactile sensation. ‘07 with Grenache Blanc, Clairette Blanche, Viogier and Chardonnay; stonefruit knitted into tingling minerality. Like ‘06, it is also a stayer. Berry sorting, 18 months French oak. Sheer gravitas…’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2009, 4.5*
‘13 different vineyards – all decomposed granite. Soil specialist Claude Bourguignon says some of the most decomposed in the world! Honeysuckle nose. Green and quite stemmy on the nose, the last vintage that was all made in barrel, 20% new. Very rich and dense and still exciting. So vital and rich without being sweet.’ - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 18/20 (Apr 2014)
2010:
'The 2010 Palladius is a blend of (takes a deep breath) Chenin, Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne, Clairette, Semillon Blanc, Semillon Gris, Palomino and Verdelho. This choir of white varieties is aged for 24 months in a combination of old wooden casks, concrete eggs and amphora. It has a very fine bouquet with light pressed flowers, a touch of hazelnut and hints of orange blossom. The palate is where it all happening with crisp acidity, a vivacious white with crisp apricot, orange peel and passion fruit. It is tightly coiled towards the finish, focusing upon precision rather than power. This is a wine that demands respect. Drink now-2019+.' – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 93/100 (2012)
'Not particularly aromatic, though the sample is very cold. Fine, restrained oak overlay. So classy. There's grapefruit and lemon and it verges towards lime. Beautifully clear cut and fresh, the oak in a purely supportive role but adding a mealy facet to the texture. Very very young but already so delicious.' – Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, 18/20 (2012)
'Bold, broad and creamy, featuring ginger, warm brioche, persimmon and creamed peach flavors, with toasted hazelnut notes embedded in the core and lingering through the finish. Exhibits noteworthy balance and definition. Drink now through 2015. 750 cases made.' – Wine Spectator, 93/100 (2013)
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