Cape Heritage and The Loire
Timed Online Auction, 1 - 12 August 2024
Cape Heritage - White Wines
About the SessionThe Cape Heritage White Wine Session features the noble variety, Chenin Blanc, known for its versatility and fruit intensity. South Africa has the oldest Chenin Blanc vines in the world and produces long-aging, diverse and fine wines.
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.
Provenance
Wine Cellar Private Client
Critics Ratings
'So sophisticated and interesting with a confident texture and such complexity of flavour. Although the alcohol is relatively high, so is the acidity and this is a glorious, unique, sophisticated wine.’ - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 18/20 (Apr 2022)
‘A refined bouquet with light petrol-like scents infusing the stone fruit aromas (peach skin and nectarine). The palate is medium-bodied with a slight viscous entry, the acidity very well pitched with a generous, caressing, lightly honeyed finish. Enjoy this over the next 4-5 years.’ - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 92/100 (Apr 2017)
'8-way chenin-led blend fermented in concrete ‘eggs’ & clay amphora, lees-ageing weaving textures & generous flavours into harmonious, elemental core. 2014’s effortless richness lifted & extended by steely minerality. Like 2013 (4.5 stars, 94 pts), in larger formats too.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2017, 5*
'Eben Sadie’s signature series multi-variety white blend has always been a studied effort but the 2014 feels particularly so. On the nose, a hint of reduction before lemon, orange and white peach, some leesy complexity and a hint of spice. The palate is rich and slightly oily in texture – plenty of sun-kissed, ripe fruit upfront before a pithy finish. It makes a big impression but arguably lacks some of the finesse of previous vintages.' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 93/100 (Sep 2016)
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