Cape Heritage and The Loire
Timed Online Auction, 1 - 12 August 2024
Cape Heritage - Red Wines
About the SessionThe Cape Heritage Red Wine Session features 25 lots from The Tabernacle – the famous underground cellar in Stellenbosch that houses some of South Africa’s most spectacular vinous historical treasures. All the lots from The Tabernacle have been recorked; each bottle was opened for inspection, under the protection of an argon gas blanket, and Strauss & Co fine wine specialist Higgo Jacobs along with Amorim tasted and assessed each wine. The wines were topped up with wine from the same vintage, recorked and resealed, all under the supervision of a technical team from Amorim Corks.
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.
Only 450 cases of the Pofadder was produced, a 100% Cinsault from the Riebeek Mountain. It gets its name from the serpentine shape of the mountain and forms part of Sadie’s Old Vine Series (Ouwingerdreeks), South Africa’s most sought-after wines.
Provenance
Private Client
Critics Ratings
‘The 2015 Old Vine Series Pofadder, the 100% Cinsault from Eben Sadie, come from slate soils that are not decomposed. It has a pure and mineral-driven bouquet, beautifully defined with red cherries and crisp strawberry fruit, a stoniness tucked just underneath. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity, tensile and linear, brimming with freshness and energy with raspberry and just a tinge of black cherry on the finish. Superb Cinsault, nuanced and detailed, an intellectual wine that will age with style. Drink 2018 - 2030.’ – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 94/100 (Apr 2017)
‘(100% whole-bunch fermentation; aged in large 25-year-old foudres): Bright, moderately saturated medium red. Pungent perfume of raspberry, strawberry, sandalwood, wild savory herbs and spices. Juicy, bright, dry and penetrating; doesn't deliver quite the sweetness or depth promised by the nose but this is wonderfully delineated, perfumed and light on its feet, and an utterly distinctive red wine. More refined than the 2014 version, without that wine's rustic hints: this is all red berries, spices and botanical herbs. Finishes with a fine dusting of tannins and sneaky length. If this wine was from southern France, I would probably have scored it even higher owing to its precision and cleanliness. Drink 2018-2024 ’ – Stephan Tanzer, Vinous, 92/100 (May 2017)
‘Grown on the red slate soils of Riebeek Kasteel, this pale, elegant, nuanced Cinsault was fermented with 100% whole bunches and has the clove and pepper spice notes to prove it. The youngster of the old vine series (the vineyard is only 48 years old), it’s floral, scented and beautifully balanced. Drink: 2016-21.’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2016, 95/100
'From Swartland Cinsault. Heady aromatics of cherry, wild strawberry, earth, herbs and spice. The palate packs a punch – there’s good depth of flavour, fresh acidity and although the tannins are by no means coarse, the wine has more structure than many other versions of the grape.' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 93/100 (Aug 2016)
Other lots that might interest you
