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.
Named for the striking tree aloes near the old vineyard it comes from. The vineyard was planted in the 1930s, with a mix of standard Semillon and a red-berried form of the grape once common in the Cape and probably unique to this country, but now almost vanished. Both versions used to be called “Greengrape”.
Provenance
Wine Cellar Private Client
Critics Ratings
‘"If you pick this two days too late, it gains 2% in alcohol," says Paul Jordaan of this cuvée of Semillon and a hint of co-planted Semillon Gris, sourced from the legendary Henk Laing. In 2018, Sadie Family got the harvest date spot on, because this is an elegant, herbal, greengage and lanolin-like white with grapefruity acidity. 2020-26’ - Tim Atkin SA Special Report 2018, 95/100
‘This is as much about the seductive texture as the complexity and gorgeous flavor profile. Glossy, showing a slight crunchiness, this exhibits an array of orchard fruit, with plum pear and quince flavors emerging most prominently, mingling with mint and daisy notes before being swept away by fleur de sel accents. Harmonious and stunning throughout, with the potential to age gracefully. Drink now through 2032.’ – Wine Spectator, 95/100 (Apr 2020)
‘From Olifants River Semillon. The nose shows lime and green apple with notes of hay and blossom in the background. Lovely fruit expression and nicely coated acidity. Surprisingly rich and round. Delicious!’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 94/100 (Jul 2019)
‘Now coming from Olifants River, the Semillon speaks clearly through the expression of the 2018 Old Vine Series Kokerboom with clean citrus and subtle minerality, with hints of soft herbal aromas not typically found in past bottlings, just this vintage. The palate shows great texture and depth of flavor, overflowing with rocky expressions, dusty citrus blossoms that are clean and focused, showing still tight. The acidity and mineral backbone continues straight through onto the finish and lingers with thought-provoking longevity that can still be felt and tasted after a minute past. My head is spinning with excitement! Well done, this is a remarkable wine that is incredibly food-friendly!’ – Anthony Mueller, Wine Advocate, 94/100 (Oct 2019)
‘The 2018 Kokerboom, a blend of Sémillon Blanc and Sémillon Gris, has a light bouquet of beeswax, yellow plum and light walnut aromas that gain intensity with aeration. The well-balanced palate is taut and fresh, offering orange peel and marmalade notes on the entry and veins of lemongrass and shaved ginger on the finish. Excellent.’ – Neal Martin, Vinous, 93/100 (Oct 2019)
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