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.
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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.
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
Private Client
Critics Ratings
'Gains heft from loads of quince, nectarine, pear and ginger flavors, but the spine shows excellent minerality, with a long, stony feel through the finish. Hints of quinine, verbena and chamomile add even more range. A pristine display. Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Clairette Blanche, Viognier, Verdelho, Roussanne, Sémillon Gris, Sémillon and Palomino. Drink now through 2022. 583 cases made.’ – James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 94/100 (2016)
'Like 2012 (5 stars, 97 pts), transcendent, rich & complex 2013 8-way chenin-led blend fermented in concrete ‘eggs’ & clay pots; time on lees weaves textures & generous flavours into harmonious, elemental core. Immense interest & charm; accessible, but for the long haul. These in larger formats too.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2016, 4.5*
'Honeyed, creamy nose that gives the impression of satin-smooth texture somehow. A totally flattering and intriguing wine that is clean as a whistle and would stand up to any fine white wine.' – Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 18.5/20 (Sep 2015)
'30% Chenin Blanc plus nine other varieties in almost equal parts; done mostly in concrete and clay amphoras, with 10% made in big wooden demi-muids: Bright, light yellow. Outstanding aromatic purity and nuance to the pungent aromas of orange blossom, minerals, clove and mint. Highly concentrated yellow fruit flavors are perfectly framed and carried by harmonious ripe acidity. This wonderfully silky white blend really expands to fill the mouth, without any loss of precision. Finishes with great rising length. Sadie whole-bunch-presses this wine on a four-hour cycle, noting that it has more tannins than all of his reds with the exception of Columella. But the wine's phenolic character is well-supported by sheer stuffing and extract.’ – Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, 95/100 (Apr 2015)
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