Modern, Post-War and Contemporary Art, Decorative Arts and Wine
Online-Only Auction, 22 - 29 March 2021
Wine: Cape Heritage
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
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.
Produced from a now-famous, +-85-year-old dryland chenin vineyard on the Skurfberg mountain, this special wine forms part of Sadie’s Old Vine Series (Ouwingerdreeks). Only 400 cases were produced and it is one of South Africa’s most sought-after whites.
Provenance
Wine Cellar Private Client
Critics Ratings
'One of only two Chenins in the old vine series, this comes from three farms on the slopes of the Skurfberg. Naturally fermented in old wood, it’s a stunning white with white flower aromas, notes of pastry, citrus and nectarine and an intensity that builds and builds on the palate. The finish is long and very mineral. 2018-24' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2017, 97/100
'Dryland chenin from Olifants River. 2016 as impressive, distinguished as ever despite severe drought pressure; an honest reflection of the vintage & venerable site. Slightly richer, warmer (14.5% alcohol) than 2015, it’s still compact, perfectly balanced & beguiling in its earthy minerality.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2018, 5* (95/100)
'Eben Sadie’s Skurfberg 2016 from Chenin Blanc planted between 1940 and 1955 up the West Coast pretty much in the middle of nowhere, is staggeringly good. On the nose, dried herbs and flowers, before citrus, peach, apple and vanilla pod. The palate shows extraordinary fruit density plus a little bit of phenolic grip making this a particularly forceful vintage – it seems even more concentrated than the 2015 but perhaps with slightly less verve. Layers and layers of flavour, including the vaguest sense of bitterness on the finish which only adds to the drinking experience.' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 96/100
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