Provenance

Wine Cellar Private Client

Critics Ratings

Kokerboom
‘Semillon Blanc (no Gris this vintage) in tight, austere 2014 from Skurfberg vines, basket pressed and raised in foudres. Linear and focused, with rapier-like acidity and stony, mineral elegance (has lowest alcohol yet), demanding plenty time in bottle to reveal well-concealed fruit.’ – Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2016, 4.5*

'A blend of Semillon Blanc and Semillon Gris planted in the early 1900s, the 2014 Old Vine Series Kokerboom has a very subtle bouquet, extremely nuanced with lanolin, beeswax, dried apricot and just a touch of brioche. The palate is very well balanced, slightly candied on the entry with dried orange peel and dried quince. There is a lovely texture here, just a mote of waxiness with a finish that is reposed and effortless. This is perhaps more approachable compared to the Skurfberg, but likewise it will repay cellaring.’ – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 94+/100 (Nov 2015)

Skerpioen
‘Equal Chenin, Palomino in taut 2014 blend brings back bracing sting in tail - missing in 2013 (5 stars, 96 pts), from vines grown in unique chalky West Coast soils (WO Swartland). Perfect fruit, acid balance and lower alcohol ensures impressive harmony in pithily structured, lively and profound wine.’ – Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2016, 4.5*

'Chalk-based vineyards are comparatively rare in South Africa, but this Swartland site, planted with the unlikely combination of Palomino and Chenin Blanc in the 1960s, expresses its briney, limestone freshness. Saline and tangy, with taut, lemony bite, some struck match and impressive palate length. Drink: 2015-22.’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2015, 96/100

Treinspoor
‘2014 Swartland Tinta Barocca feels like Soldaat’s no-frills, overalled brother. Lively, with dry, grippy tannin, generous (but still masked) raspberry fruit and spritzy, appetising acidity. Eben Sadie’s own ‘red of the vintage’, needs time to settle down and reveal its inner self.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2016, 4.5*

‘The 2014 Old Vine Series Treinspoor is 100% Tinta Barocca planted in 1974, a grape that Eben Sadie rates very highly. There is something placid about the nose, which is refined and reclining in a comfy chair at the moment. The fruit is slightly darker than the 2014 Pofadder, with a hint of vanilla and cola tincturing the dark berry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp, grainy tannin and supremely well-judged acidity. It becomes more structured and masculine towards the finish, which offers great details, precision and superb mineralité. Eben compared it to a cross between Nebbiolo and a Syrah, and I can see where he is coming from. One of those wines that shifts your preconception about a grape variety.’ – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 95/100 (Nov 2015)

Mev Kirsten
'Mrs. Kirsten passed away on April 10, 2015, so lucky recipients of the 2014 Old Vine Series Mev Kirsten will notice a little homage to this lady on the neck label. It has an extremely complex, quite profound bouquet: melted wax mixed with damp soil, white tea, candied orange peel and dandelion. The palate is very pure and slightly waxy in texture, with touches of white pepper and rosemary sprinkled over the lightly honeyed fruit, dialing down the gears towards the finish that is so effortless. This is a cerebral wine -- 750 milliliters of delicious intellect.’ – Neal Martin 96/100, Wine Advocate (2015)

'Richly layered, with pear, ginger, white peach and almond cream notes that glide along seamlessly, carried by perfectly embedded acidity through the chamomile- and verbena-infused finish. Balanced by good cut, this flows, rather than races, along. A beauty. Chenin Blanc.  -  James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 93/100 (2016)

Pofadder
'Eben Sadie’s pure Cinsault has done wonders for the reputation of this under-rated variety in the Cape. Fermented in concrete and large wooden foudres with 100% whole bunches, this is fine and refreshing, with damson and black cherry fruit and more acidity than the 2013 release.' - Tim Atkin SA Wine Report 2015, 95/100

Soldaat
'The 2014 Old Vine Series Soldaat...swear to God...if I was served this blind I would claim it to be a Burgundy Pinot Noir. It has a wonderful definition and transparency, and is extraordinarily pure with an enthralling sous-bois undertow. The palate is taut and linear, very focused, nimble and poised with fine but strict tannin; it is tightly wound with tertiary red berry fruit that segue into a poised finish. This is a serious Grenache from Eben Sadie, one that deserves to be cellared for as long as you can withstand. (Eben thinks it will go into a slumber after a couple of years, so bear that in mind.) - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 95/100 (Nov 2015)

'Grown at 800 metres, the Grenache from Piekenierskloof is some of the most distinctive in the Cape. Whole bunch spice, fermentation in old cement tanks, supple red fruits and pure, refreshing, high altitude freshness make this one of the best examples of the grape in South Africa.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2015, 94/100

'T Voetpad
'The 2014 Old Vine Series T Voetpad comes from vines planted in 1887 and where Eben said works the most. A field blend of Semillon Blanc and Gris, Palomino, Chenin Blanc and Muscat, it has an extremely complex bouquet with white fennel, tarragon and rosemary infused tropical fruit with subtle resinous scents developing with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly honeyed texture, just a pinch of white pepper and fennel, and extremely well balanced with a harmonious, ineffably complex finish that lingers long and tenderly in the mouth. With the Mev Kristen, this is Eben's best Old Vine Series White in 2014. Stunning.' - Neal Martin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate, 96/100 (Nov 2015)

'Dense, with white peach, pear, quince and yellow apple fruit flavors forming a prodigious core. Remarkably racy and stony in feel overall, with blanched almond and salted butter notes keeping everything tightly harnessed through the finish. Chenin Blanc, Sémillon, Palomino and Muscat d'Alexandrie.' — James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 94/100 (Apr 2016)